He said; "I was born heterosexual. I have never questioned myself about the choice of my sexuality. That is why the church's position, which consists of saying 'Homosexuality is a sin,' is shocking,"

M Sarkozy also explained his personal opinion on the construction of human sexuality claiming that he does not attribute adult sexuality solely to nurture. He shared how when he was a child he was shocked by the explanations of homosexual behaviour which would attribute homosexuality to ‘bad’ or over-affectionate parenting.

M Sarkozy likened this popular reasoning to other non-scientific theories of behaviour such as claiming anorexia is caused by the absence of a father or that autism in children was a result of divorce.

"When a child was autistic, people said: 'Oh! The parents got divorced, that caused a shock.' Since then we know that autism is genetic. I think that sexuality also is an identity” Sarkozy said.

PinkNews.co.uk notes that during a televised debate M Sarkozy announced that he was opposed to any form of gay marriage. However he has promised new adoption rights for gay couples.

M Sarkozy, 52, is the French Ex-interior minister and leader of centre-right UMP. He is regarded as a formidable candidate yet has caused controversy and divided opinion in France due to the tough stance on immigration he took in his previous role.

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