Younger Sarkozy drops bid to lead agency

PARIS, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Jean Sarkozy, 23-year-old son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said he was withdrawing as a candidate to lead a key public agency amid cries of nepotism.

The younger Sarkozy went on national television in Paris Thursday to say he listened to criticism surrounding his potential appointment as chairman of the agency that runs a key business district near Paris, The Times of London reported Friday.

"A lot of it was excessive, a lot of it true," Jean Sarkozy said. "I do not want a victory stained by doubt."

He said he still would seek election for a seat on the board of Epad, the development corporation of La Defense, the largest European business district, The Times said. Epad runs an island of 71 corporate towers to the west of Paris.

Jean Sarkozy is a second-year undergraduate student who lacked work experience, The Times said. Opposition leaders jumped on his imminent appointment to the board, saying it smacked of favoritism.