Canada's almost-Queen a hit with French media

PARIS -- Nicolas Sarkozy, the suddenly unpopular French president who played down Tuesday's one-year anniversary of his election win, is scheduled to appear today before media cameras with Canadian Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Jean, on the second day of her five-day state visit, is expected to thank the French president for inviting her here as part of celebrations marking the founding of Quebec City by Samuel de Champlain in 1608.

A media appearance with Canada's photogenic Governor General could be a welcome break for Mr. Sarkozy, whose popularity free-fall since late last year coincided with media saturation coverage of his divorce from Cecilia and sudden marriage to singer Carla Bruni.

Ms. Jean has gotten better press than Mr. Sarkozy in recent days. Le Monde's weekend magazine designated her "La presque reine du Canada" -- Canada's almost-Queen.

Canada and the world were offered "the enlightened face of humanity, intelligence and beauty" when Ms. Jean was named to the post in 2005, the magazine said.

Mr. Sarkozy downplayed on Tuesday his one-year anniversary in office, which gave French and international media a new opportunity to dissect his struggles.

"I'm not going to comment on what I've done," Mr. Sarkozy told reporters on a trip to southern France, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.

"I've got to continue working, getting results, reforming the country and bearing the responsibilities for which people wanted me to be president of the republic."

Mr. Sarkozy, following today's meeting at the Elysee Palace, will join Ms. Jean Thursday in northern France for ceremonies commemorating the end of the Second World War.

Ms. Jean will also make a speech Saturday on slavery in Bordeaux during France's national day honouring the abolition of slavery in 1848.

Ms. Jean met earlier today with Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, as well as with the presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate.