The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Paris

President Nicolas Sarkozy and his elegant but enigmatic wife, Cecilia, called it quits and abruptly announced their divorce Thursday after months of speculation about their marriage.

The split - a first for France - spelled the end of a seemingly passionate but deeply political power couple who had challenged the traditional role of president and first lady.

It struck a deep, personal blow to Sarkozy's 5-month-old presidency, though friends insisted it wouldn't dent his energetic leadership as he works to reshape France, make it more competitive and nurture its alliance with the United States. The 15-word statement from the presidential office said Cecilia, 49, and Nicolas, 52, mutually agreed to end their relationship of more than 20 years, 11 of them as a married couple.