Sarkozy tax cuts lure 'French Elvis' back from Swiss exile

PARIS: Veteran rocker Johnny Hallyday, France's answer to Elvis, will return from tax exile in Switzerland now that his tax-cutting friend Nicolas Sarkozy has been elected president, his wife said on Tuesday.   

"Nicolas Sarkozy's policies will certainly lead us to come back to France," Laetitia Hallyday told RTL radio.   

Her husband discussed the matter with Sarkozy on Sunday night during dinner in a posh Paris restaurant after his election victory over the Socialist Segolene Royal was announced, she said.

Johnny Hallyday is one of a string of famous French nationals who have upped sticks in order to avoid the country's high taxes.   

The 63-year-old, who has sold 100 million records over the past 40 years, said last December he would spend at least six months of the year in the more financially clement climate of the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad.   

His announcement, which came as Sarkozy was preparing his bid for the French presidency, caused some embarrassment for the rightwing candidate.   

The number of French people who move abroad, often quietly, to escape burdensome income and wealth taxes was estimated at "one per day" by a member of Sarkozy's UMP party who oversees budget questions in parliament.   

Other French personalities who live abroad include actor Alain Delon, actor/singer Charles Aznavour, former formula one champion Alain Prost and tennis champion Amelie Mauresmo.   

It is a perfectly legal choice, as long as one lives more than 183 days a year outside the country.