New French president elect Nicolas Sarkozy rocked more than his yacht when he visited sun bathed Malta recently, shocking his countrymen in an opulent display of luxury and disregarding the unwritten rules that one should not flaunt wealth and stature.

Sarkozy and his family employed the use of a private jet and flew to Malta's International airport for an evidently much-needed vacation after Sarkozy's long and turbulent election battle. Once there, the president elect, his wife and son, and a handful of staff boarded the yacht of a friend that, according to newspaper accounts, cost almost $300,000 a week to rent. Apparently, his vacation has ruffled more than a few feathers in his native France, who found the actions of the politician beyond reproachful and just a bit on the gauche side. Oddly enough, such criticism has come from political opponents and not from voters themselves.

Sarkozy and company boarded the yacht, christened La Paloma, at Malta's marina near Valletta, and then headed for the southern coast of one of the world's favorite, and famous, tourist spots. Mooring in Delimara, curious Maltese residents watched the yacht, wondering about such a surprise visit and whether some political machinations were underway.

The next president of France enjoyed the company of his wife and son as they toured the island of Malta for a day during their brief weekend jaunt, just a scant week before he was to take office from outgoing French president Jacques Chirac, who held office for a little more than a decade. Public grumbling over the display of wealth and leisure rubbed many Frenchmen and women the wrong way, who have been having difficulties making ends meet. Such a questionable decision on the part of their new president leads many to wonder if he can have their best interests at heart. Many political experts have stated that his decision to vacation so openly surrounded by symbols of wealth will make it difficult for people to believe that he can cut public debt in his country.

The 52 year old was followed during his jog around the island and while he and his family enjoyed sun-soaked beaches and sea breezes, both on and off the borrowed yacht.

Shrugging off criticism at the cost when an alternative cheap flight to Malta could have been taken, Sarkozy and family enjoyed the rich history and ambience of the island retreat and kept a fairly low profile during his visit. Long-range cameras caught photos of him on the yacht, enjoying the sea, laughing and looking calm and relaxed in jeans as he enjoyed the fresh air and scenic beauty of the cliff overlooking the sea at Santa Marija Bay.

Shortly thereafter, Sarkozy's yacht weighed anchor and reportedly sailed off for quick visits to Syracuse and Sicily, though he returned back to Malta, boarded the same plane that brought him unexpectedly to the island in the first place, and disappeared into azure blue skies, leaving as abruptly as he had arrived just a couple of days earlier.
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