Nicolas Sarkozy once said he shares "common values" with the far-Right Front National, according to a book by a former close advisor to the ex-president, reports The Telegraph.
Patrick Buisson, the man behind Mr Sarkozy’s handbrake turn to the Right, claimed that before the runoff in the 2007 elections he would go on to win, Mr Sarkozy ordered him to personally meet Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-Right firebrand, in the name of these "common values".
Mr Sarkozy is cited as saying: “The values of the Front National are those of all French. It’s the way the Front National expresses them that is shocking. The French don’t like dishes that are too spicy that burn your mouth.”
Mr Sarkozy was even allegedly prepared to meet Mr Lr Pen himself to secure support before the second round run-off against Ségolène Royal, saying: ""Call Le Pen. Ask him what he wants. Should I receive him? If I have to receive him you know I will. I'm not like the others. I know how to assume my responsibilities."
Mr Sarkozy has made no bones about gunning for the FN electorate but has stopped short of overtly claiming common ground.
Out on Thursday, the release of The People's Cause, the Forbidden Story of the Sarkozy Presidency appears to have been timed to cause maximum damage to Mr Sarkozy just as his campaign to lead the Right in next Spring's elections is starting to gain traction.
The ex-president's strategy of issuing brash and comments populist comments on everything from the burkini to national identity has seen him draw ahead off his main rival, Alain Juppé, in polls ahead of party primaries in November.
In the 500-page book - extracts of which were leaked to l'Express - Mr Sarkozy is quoted as mocking and debasing friends and foes alike.
Jacques Chirac, the now ailing former president who is currently hospitalised with breathing difficulties, is dismissed as "evil", "greedy", "corrupt", and "the most detestable of presidents".