Nicolas Sarkozy shows his human side as prospect of defeat looms in French presidential election Mr Sarkozy added, theatrically: "Life passes so quickly. In any case, I am at the end and I am not afraid. He went on to regret being photographed with Carla Bruni in Egypt and Jordan at the end of 2007 before they were married. It was also an error. When the French saw me happy, they said to themselves 'he has abandoned us'. We have elected the Bionic (Man) and he is happy. This year at Christmas I didn't go on holiday because, with the crisis, the French wouldn't have understood. Mr Sarkozy is many things, but he is not politically naive. He would have known his comments would be reported. Nor is it the first time the president has evoked disappearing from the political scene. In 2008, just one year into his five year mandate, he suggested he would not seek a second term in office. "I'll do this for five years and afterwards I'll leave and make money," the news magazine Le Point reported him saying. The strategy is to "humanise" the outgoing president, to show with the false "off-the-record" that he entertains existential doubts and is not Super Sarkozy. With he first round of the presidential election in April, opinion polls show him currently on 24 per cent of the vote, behind the Socialist Party frontrunner François Hollande, who is on 27.5 per cent. The Elysée is hoping to craft the image of a "brave president" who, despite his unpopularity, is prepared to fight to the end to do the best for his country. "I have never said the mistakes were other people's fault," Mr Sarkozy added. I have always thought that I bore the sole responsibility for my mistakes. It's important to analyse oneself.  The appointment of Rachida Dati and Rama Yade - among the so-called "Sarkozettes" - to government posts, showing the newly-elected president's willingness to promote those from ethnic minorities, was, according to the president, also a mistake. Without doubt it was a mistake to give them too much, too quickly, but I would protect them just as much if I were to do it again. The presidential. remorse also extended to proposing his ambitious son Jean Sarkozy to run the authority controlling Paris" equivalent of the City, La Defense in 2009 leading to outraged cries of nepotism Government ministers and MP s were divided on the tactic. "He's showing his humility and lucidity," said Lionnel Luca, a member of the ruling right-of-centre UMP party. But the foreign affairs minister, Alain Juppé, was not convinced. "He has so many enemies who are criticising us, there's no point adding more," Juppé said. In the heat of combat, it's not the time. Jean-François Copé, the head of the UMP, seemed almost embarrassed: "I see the president almost every day and I can tell you he is totally determined and focused on serving the French. These were quotes taken entirely out of context. François Hollande's spokesman Manuel Vals said Mr Sarkozy's reflections were "of no interest to the French," while Bruno Le Roux, another member of Hollande's campaign team added: "The French would prefer that he contributes to raising the debate, suggesting a path rather than lament the possible end of a career." Rumours that Mr Sarkozy would use a television interview on Sunday to formally announce that he is standing for re-election have been firmly denied by the Elysée. Legally, he has to announce his candidacy before March 16. Hervé Gattegno, editor of Le Point, said nobody should believe a word of the president's mea culpa, saying he was behaving like the theatrical character Volpone, a Venetian merchant who pretends he is at death's door to trick those after his fortune. It's true he is in big trouble: he is unpopular, unemployment is very high, the right is having doubts, objectively he is more likely to be beaten than to win... (but) this is a signal to mobilise his supporters and a blow to destabilise his opponents.