The left-wing love of a right-wing president

The contrast's stark. Sarkozy's right-wing views have been well-documented. But this brilliantly researched article in The Guardian brings into focus Carla Bruni's political affiliations and they couldn't have been more different from those of the French president.

The irony of it all, Carla Bruni could never have made it to France if Sarkozy's hugely-criticised DNA test rule for immigrants were in place when the model and her family chose to live in France. The controversial rule seeks to allow only those immigrants with proved paternity to move to France. Bruni, who fled Italy for France, would have failed the test as she moved there with her stepfather and mother. In fact, during the presidential campaign Bruni supported the socialist Ségolène Royal against Sarkozy and even attended a concert to protest against Sarkozy's controversial plans for DNA testing.

Bruni, who has in the past, supported left-leaning causes, has even criticised former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. She now learns that the TV-obsessed and "post-cultural" president Sarkozy is being likened to Berlusconi.

All this leaves us wondering how Bruni will adjust to her partner's political thoughts. And what role she'll play as France's first lady. That's obviously superseded with a more important question: How long will she remain France's first lady?