Nicolas Sarkozy 'quitting politics for quiet life with Carla Bruni'

London, May 8 (ANI): Nicolas Sarkozy, who has become the first French president in 31 years to be rejected after just one term, has confirmed that he will be giving up politics for 'good'.

On Monday, Sarkozy invited his campaign team to the Elysee Palace in Paris and during the hour-long meeting he revealed that he would not contest a seat for his party, the UMP, at the parliamentary elections in June.

"A page has turned for me. I will not be a legislative candidate now, or in elections to come," the Daily Mail quoted Sarkozy as saying.

"Rest assured I will renew my party card, and I will pay my dues. But I will quit operations."

However, he insisted, "I love life too much to be bitter."

The 57-year-old conservative even asserted that he wanted people 'to leave me alone' so that he could led a peaceful life with his wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni.

"I hope to live a normal life. I lost the election but journalists continue to prevent me from taking a break."

"I'm unable to have lunch with my family. I hope I can now be left to enjoy a bit of quiet," he added.

Sarkozy lost Sunday's nationwide election to his Socialist rival Francois Hollande, soon after opinion polls established Sarkozy's status as the most unpopular head of state in recent history. (ANI)