Sarkozy's ex-campaign manager to head TF1

PARIS: A former campaign manager to French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been named as a senior executive to France's top television network TF1, a source close to the decision said on Tuesday.   

Laurent Solly, 36, will in late June take up the post of deputy general director of the private network whose major shareholder is the French conglomerate Bouygues.   

Business mogul Martin Bouygues is a close friend of Sarkozy and godfather to his 10-year-old son Louis.     

Sarkozy's leftist opponents have attacked the right-wing leader for his friendly relations with businessmen including billionaire Vincent Bollore who lent the first family his yacht for a holiday earlier this month.   

Bouygues is a diversified group with media, telecom and retail estate assets in addition to its construction business.   

Solly was Sarkozy's chief of staff when he served as interior minister.