Sarkozy 'has seen judge about separating'

French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia have informed a judge they are separating, it was reported today.

The website of French news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur said the 52-year-old president and his 49-year-old wife “went before a judge together at the end of the day on Monday to materialise the separation procedure of the couple”.

It did not give sources for the information nor elaborate on what “materialisation” of the separation meant. The report followed rumours that the Sarkozys would make such a move on today.

Judicial officials said such a procedure is a private affair and not a matter of public record, even when it involves the president.

The president’s office would not comment on the report.

Rumours that the couple were on the verge of officially separating have spread for weeks and the French media have widely reported the suspicions – with no official denials.

Both Mr Sarkozy’s spokesman and Mrs Sarkozy’s spokeswoman responded to queries with a “no comment” today.

Word of a possible separation comes five months after Mr Sarkozy took office and shortly before the couple’s 11th wedding anniversary next Tuesday.

The Sarkozys were separated for several months in 2005, getting back together as the presidential campaign began moving into high gear.

Mrs Sarkozy did not vote in the final round of the election in May and has rarely appeared with her husband in public since.

Mr Sarkozy will travel alone on a state visit to Morocco next week.

Both of the Sarkozys has been previously married. Together they have five children, including their own son, Louis.