Sarkozy's wife gives up credit card in spending row

Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of the French head of state, has handed back her presidential credit card following questions over her right to tap state funds, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. Cecilia received the credit card in May to pay for official expenses shortly after her husbanD, Nicolas Sarkozy, won power.
Government spokesman Laurent Wauquiez said she had only used the card twice for two dinners in restaurants costing a total 410 euros ($559) but had decided to return it "to avoid any controversy".
Satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine last week criticised the fact that Cecilia's expenses were being paid for by the state and a Socialist politician complained that she had no official position to justify receiving a credit card. Prime Minister Francois Fillon denounced insinuations that Cecilia had abused official funds as a "petty, mean debate".