Sarkozy's father confirms Carla is pregnant

French president Nicolas Sarkozy's father, Pal, has confirmed rumours that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is pregnant. He told the German newspaper Bild on Tuesday, that he was looking forward to becoming a grandfather again, and declared that if the baby was a girl, he was sure she would be as beautiful as Carla. 

Reuters

The Italian newspaper La Stampa, also reports today that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's mother, Marisa Bruni-Tedeschi, told guests at a dinner in Turin that her daughter was expecting a child.

The Elysée Palace stated that it did not comment on private matters, but a source close to the president's office said the baby was due in October. 

It is thought to be the first time a French president has become a father while in office, and many suggest the birth could provide a welcome boost in Sarkozy's popularity, just months before presidential elections in April and May next year.

Sarkozy has three sons already, from two previous marriages.

Twenty-six-year-old Pierre and Jean, who is 25, are the sons of his first wife, Marie-Dominique Culioli, while 14-year-old Louis lives mostly with his mother, Cécilia Ciganier-Albeniz.

Carla Bruni has a 10-year-old son, Aurélien, from a relationship with philosopher Raphaël Enthoven.

The celebrity magazine Closer started speculation in print about the pregnancy on 22 April, in an article which drew no comment from the presidential couple.

When on the private television channel TF1, a journalist congratulated Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, she smiled and returned the congratulations.