How to Pronounce Nicolas Sarkozy

Meaning and Context

Nicolas Sarkozy, born Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa on January 28, 1955, is a defining French politician of the early 21st century who served as the 23rd President of the French Republic from his election in 2007 until 2012. A central figure in the center-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), now known as Les Républicains, his presidency was marked by a proactive and often controversial style dubbed "Sarkozyism," characterized by economic liberalization, a tough stance on law and order and immigration, and a vigorous foreign policy. His tenure saw significant events such as France's return to NATO's integrated military command in 2009, the intervention in Libya in 2011, and the domestic passage of the pivotal "loi TEPA" economic package. Post-presidency, Sarkozy remained an influential voice in French conservative politics, though his career has been shadowed by a series of high-profile legal convictions for corruption and illegal campaign financing, which have cemented his complex legacy in modern French political history.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Nicolas Sarkozy. Common errors often arise from the orthography of his surname, which is of Hungarian origin. Frequent misspellings include "Nicolas Sarkozy" (incorrectly adding an acute accent), "Nicolas Sarkozi" (substituting a 'z'), and "Nicholas Sarkozy" (using the English 'ch' instead of the French 'c'). In formal contexts, his full aristocratic surname, Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa, is sometimes referenced, where the umlaut over the 'o' is crucial. Typographical mistakes like "Sarkozyy" or "Sarkosy" are also encountered. It is worth noting that during his political career and in media, he was frequently referred to mononymously as "Sarkozy," a practice that continues in both French and international discourse.

Example Sentences

Following his defeat in the 2012 presidential election, Nicolas Sarkozy temporarily retreated from frontline politics before making a comeback attempt in 2016.

Many analysts argue that Sarkozy's presidency fundamentally reshaped the landscape of the French right, moving it toward a more assertive, media-savvy model.

Despite his legal troubles, including a conviction in 2021, Sarkozy's memoirs provide a detailed and unapologetic defense of his policy decisions between 2007 and 2012.

His famous campaign slogan "Travailler plus pour gagner plus" (work more to earn more) encapsulated his pro-market economic philosophy.

International observers often cite the Sarkozy-brokered ceasefire during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war as a key example of his hands-on diplomatic approach.

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