French President Nicolas Sarkozy hit new low in popularity

French President Nicolas Sarkozy hit new low in popularityIt has been reported that the investigation into Liliane Bettencourt, the richest woman in France, has become more intense with police raids on her financial managers.

According to reports of the Guardian, the scandal has hurt President Nicolas Sarkozy. Polls show his popularity has hit new lows.

It has also been reported that the wife of Eric Woerth, the employment minister, worked for Clymene, a company that helped manage Bettencourt's money. Investigators raided the Clymene office and the home of Patrice de Maistre, her financial adviser.

In 2007, when Sarkozy was running for president, de Maistre told her to withdraw 150,000 euros ($190,000) from a Bettencourt account, Claire Thibout, who worked for the L'Oreal heiress as a bookkeeper, has said. The money was allegedly to be passed on to Woerth, treasurer of Sarkozy's Le Mouvement Populaire, for use in the campaign.

She never told anyone cash was given directly to Sarkozy, Thibout said on Thursday.(With Inputs from Agencies)