This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6255621.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French right look to 'Emperor Nicolas' French right look to 'Emperor Nicolas'
(about 18 hours later)
This weekend France's governing party the UMP chooses its candidate for the presidential elections in April and there is only person on the shortlist: the French interior minister. This weekend France's governing party the UMP chooses its candidate for the presidential elections in April and there is only one person on the shortlist: the French interior minister.
The BBC's Paris correspondent, Caroline Wyatt, says his main appeal for the party is that he is popular enough to take on the Socialist candidate, Ségolene Royale.The BBC's Paris correspondent, Caroline Wyatt, says his main appeal for the party is that he is popular enough to take on the Socialist candidate, Ségolene Royale.
"Many believe that, like his hero Napoleon, Mr Sarkozy may accidentally over-reach himself"Enlarge Image"Many believe that, like his hero Napoleon, Mr Sarkozy may accidentally over-reach himself"Enlarge Image
On Sunday Nicolas Paul Stephane Sarkozy de Nagy-Bocsa - more commonly known as Nicolas Sarkozy - will be crowned the centre-right candidate for the French presidency.On Sunday Nicolas Paul Stephane Sarkozy de Nagy-Bocsa - more commonly known as Nicolas Sarkozy - will be crowned the centre-right candidate for the French presidency.
He will be surrounded by cheering acolytes at a party conference in which nothing will be left to chance, from the lighting and camera angles to the length of the standing ovation.He will be surrounded by cheering acolytes at a party conference in which nothing will be left to chance, from the lighting and camera angles to the length of the standing ovation.
The word coronation is not mine. It is being used across the French media - a "sacre", with all its echoes of that most famous French coronation of all, the Emperor Napoleon's in Paris in 1804.The word coronation is not mine. It is being used across the French media - a "sacre", with all its echoes of that most famous French coronation of all, the Emperor Napoleon's in Paris in 1804.
At the Louvre, the most famous painting of that grand occasion depicts a short man in his finery, all eyes upon him, surrounded by his family and adoring supporters.At the Louvre, the most famous painting of that grand occasion depicts a short man in his finery, all eyes upon him, surrounded by his family and adoring supporters.
Even the Pope was there.Even the Pope was there.
Sarkozy was not born into privilege but has fought every inch of the way on the long road to his coronationSarkozy was not born into privilege but has fought every inch of the way on the long road to his coronation
This latest coronation may look rather different. No one will have to wait years for the painting, it will be broadcast live on TV and picked over on the radio and the internet. But the message is similar.This latest coronation may look rather different. No one will have to wait years for the painting, it will be broadcast live on TV and picked over on the radio and the internet. But the message is similar.
Napoleon wanted to consolidate his position and display his power to the people - to his enemies as much as to his allies.Napoleon wanted to consolidate his position and display his power to the people - to his enemies as much as to his allies.
Appetite for powerAppetite for power
And this Sunday, once again, all eyes in France will be drawn to a short, dark-haired man, an outsider with a ferocious will to succeed and a boundless appetite for power.And this Sunday, once again, all eyes in France will be drawn to a short, dark-haired man, an outsider with a ferocious will to succeed and a boundless appetite for power.
Like the Emperor, Sarkozy was not born into privilege but has fought every inch of the way on the long road to his coronation. Just four months and the vagaries of fate separate him from the Elysee Palace but, if he fails, it will not be for want of trying.Like the Emperor, Sarkozy was not born into privilege but has fought every inch of the way on the long road to his coronation. Just four months and the vagaries of fate separate him from the Elysee Palace but, if he fails, it will not be for want of trying.
Cartoonists love Sarkozy's arched eyebrows and Dracula hairlineCartoonists love Sarkozy's arched eyebrows and Dracula hairline
Napoleon contented himself with a mere 10,000 guests at Notre Dame Cathedral. Mr Sarkozy is inviting 50,000 to a conference hall at the Porte de Versailles.Napoleon contented himself with a mere 10,000 guests at Notre Dame Cathedral. Mr Sarkozy is inviting 50,000 to a conference hall at the Porte de Versailles.
He will also be offering a Sarko-themed range of T-shirts and mugs to his fans, an option not available to the emperor.He will also be offering a Sarko-themed range of T-shirts and mugs to his fans, an option not available to the emperor.
Of course the Pope will not be coming but anyone who is anyone on the French centre-right will, or at least anyone who wants a job in a Sarkozy cabinet.Of course the Pope will not be coming but anyone who is anyone on the French centre-right will, or at least anyone who wants a job in a Sarkozy cabinet.
That does not include President Chirac, his one-time mentor turned bitter rival, who threatens to stand against his former protégé as an independent, huffily refusing to stand aside for the man he feels betrayed him personally and politically.That does not include President Chirac, his one-time mentor turned bitter rival, who threatens to stand against his former protégé as an independent, huffily refusing to stand aside for the man he feels betrayed him personally and politically.
Yet the grandeur of this coming event has sown unease in France, reinforcing Sarko's role as a hate figure in the mainly left-wing French media.Yet the grandeur of this coming event has sown unease in France, reinforcing Sarko's role as a hate figure in the mainly left-wing French media.
Cartoonists love his arched eyebrows and Dracula hairline which, with a skilled pen, becomes the quiff of the devil.Cartoonists love his arched eyebrows and Dracula hairline which, with a skilled pen, becomes the quiff of the devil.
The last time I stood next to Nicolas Sarkozy at a party conference, it was hard to look at him without the cartoon image super-imposing itself.The last time I stood next to Nicolas Sarkozy at a party conference, it was hard to look at him without the cartoon image super-imposing itself.
Youth appealYouth appeal
He exudes a hyperactive energy, like a mini human whirlwind. Wherever he was - and he seemed to be everywhere - a crowd would gather, desperate to see him close-up.He exudes a hyperactive energy, like a mini human whirlwind. Wherever he was - and he seemed to be everywhere - a crowd would gather, desperate to see him close-up.
Love him or hate him, the UMP leader undoubtedly has star quality.Love him or hate him, the UMP leader undoubtedly has star quality.
For his youthful supporters, it was not the party that mattered. This was personal.For his youthful supporters, it was not the party that mattered. This was personal.
"Ni-co-las! Ni-co-las!" was the constant chant."Ni-co-las! Ni-co-las!" was the constant chant.
"What does your slogan, 'Imagine France afterwards', actually mean?" I shout out at an impromptu press conference."What does your slogan, 'Imagine France afterwards', actually mean?" I shout out at an impromptu press conference.
He looks at me, arches one eyebrow and smiles.He looks at me, arches one eyebrow and smiles.
"I'll tell you afterwards.""I'll tell you afterwards."
The crowd laughs, although I am left none the wiser.The crowd laughs, although I am left none the wiser.
Love him or hate him, though, the UMP leader undoubtedly has star quality, the charisma that only power brings, and the successful leader's ability to make those he talks to feel special, if only for a moment.Love him or hate him, though, the UMP leader undoubtedly has star quality, the charisma that only power brings, and the successful leader's ability to make those he talks to feel special, if only for a moment.
It was a quality much on display as the party leader signed copies of his book "Testimony" which is part biography, part manifesto.It was a quality much on display as the party leader signed copies of his book "Testimony" which is part biography, part manifesto.
As he tirelessly dedicated copy after copy to young François or Amélie, hundreds of young French conservatives waited abuzz with excitement, as teenagers might at a rock concert.As he tirelessly dedicated copy after copy to young François or Amélie, hundreds of young French conservatives waited abuzz with excitement, as teenagers might at a rock concert.
One young man ran up to me still shaking, ecstatically clutching his signed copy.One young man ran up to me still shaking, ecstatically clutching his signed copy.
"Did you see? He shook my hand! He talked to me! He's amazing. Only he can save France.""Did you see? He shook my hand! He talked to me! He's amazing. Only he can save France."
Fire and brimstoneFire and brimstone
Nicolas Sarkozy describes himself as a candidate or reform and unityNicolas Sarkozy describes himself as a candidate or reform and unity
As a political performer, Sarkozy is impressive.As a political performer, Sarkozy is impressive.
Listening to him speak at the podium, the small intense man suddenly becomes a big, booming presence, his image on the TV screen behind him ten times larger than life, hands pounding the lectern, forefinger pointing accusingly as he blames his own government for France's ills.Listening to him speak at the podium, the small intense man suddenly becomes a big, booming presence, his image on the TV screen behind him ten times larger than life, hands pounding the lectern, forefinger pointing accusingly as he blames his own government for France's ills.
Sweat trickles down his face as he rams home his message with all the passion of a fire-and-brimstone preacher whose mission is to bring France back to the path of righteousness from its sinful, slothful ways.Sweat trickles down his face as he rams home his message with all the passion of a fire-and-brimstone preacher whose mission is to bring France back to the path of righteousness from its sinful, slothful ways.
He speaks simply and directly of the need to value hard work, for France to earn its own keep, rather than burden the next generation with an unaffordable bill.He speaks simply and directly of the need to value hard work, for France to earn its own keep, rather than burden the next generation with an unaffordable bill.
There are mutterings in France that this weekend's coronation is a misjudgement, a deeply un-French display of hubris.There are mutterings in France that this weekend's coronation is a misjudgement, a deeply un-French display of hubris.
Some go further, suggesting that the last time anyone staged such a rally for a leader was in Germany in the 1930s.Some go further, suggesting that the last time anyone staged such a rally for a leader was in Germany in the 1930s.
That is a little far-fetched but many do believe that, like his hero Napoleon, Mr Sarkozy may accidentally over-reach himself, fighting too many battles on too many fronts, and could either savour the ultimate victory this May or face his Waterloo.That is a little far-fetched but many do believe that, like his hero Napoleon, Mr Sarkozy may accidentally over-reach himself, fighting too many battles on too many fronts, and could either savour the ultimate victory this May or face his Waterloo.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday, 13 January, 2006 at 1130 BST on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday, 13 January, 2006 at 1130 BST on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.