Sarkozy coverage costs Le Matin one euro

The French-speaking Swiss newspaper Le Matin has been ordered to pay French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy a symbolic franc in damages. The paper had reported several times on the marital crisis in the Sarkozy household (see ). The civil court in Thonon-les-Bains, France, found the newspaper guilty. It had violated the politician's privacy on several occasions. In addition to the compensation payment, Le Matin must also pay the court costs of 1,200 euros.
 
Sarkozy's lawyer criticized the manner of reporting in court. In addition to damages, he therefore also demanded that Le Matin publish the verdict in the editions intended for France and on its website. However, the court did not accept this request and deemed it disproportionate. Editor-in-chief Peter Rothenbühler was satisfied with the outcome. He had actually expected a less lenient verdict, writes the news agency SDA. Incidentally, the couple have reconciled since the Le Matin articles.