French Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, has stepped down from government to focus on his presidential campaign. As widely expected former Overseas Territories Minister, Francois Baroin, has taken up his post.
Most opinion polls show conservative Sarkozy has a narrow lead over his socialist rival Segolene Royal and the centre-right candidate Francois Bayrou.Known for his tough-talking, Sarkozy sought to show his human side in his departure speech, paying tribute to his former colleagues and even declaring his 'love' for them.