'Hyperactive' Prez generates big bill

He is the "hyper-president" who governs frenetically, the "omni-president" who darts across the globe and the "bling bling president" with an eye for Rolexes and supermodel wives.

But Nicolas Sarkozy's style of leadership doesn't come cheap, according to a budget report that says presidential spending has shot up since he came to power last year. Criticising the president's "extravagant" expenditure on receptions, political advisers and foreign trips, the report's author said Elyse spending would hit $151.6m in 2009, 11% more than forecast.

Ren Dosire, a Socialist MP, said that while the rest of France was tightening its belt to ward off recession, presidential spending had reached a five-year high. "At this pace, Nicolas Sarkozy will have doubled his budget in five years."