French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 23-year-old son announced Thursday his quit from the bid to run for the chairman of the organization that oversees the country's top business district.

Jean Sarkozy, the 23-year-old son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, waits for the start of France2 television evening news at their studios in Boulogne-Billancourt to announce that has given up his bid to take charge of the EPAD public agency that oversee Paris's wealthy business district, on Oct. 22, 2009.[Xinhua]

"I will not go for the presidency" of the EPAD, Jean Sarkozy told France 2 television. The EPAD is a quasi-government agency that oversees the development and administration of La Defense, an upscale business district in Paris.

"I don't want a victory stained by doubt," said the Sorbonne's second-year law student. But he insisted that his "candidacy was totally legitimate" and he would go on seeking a post on the board running La Defense.

Nationwide controversy rosed days after the blond young man was nominated as head of the EPAD. Oppositions accused the appointment as a shame mark of nepotism, claiming him too young and inexperienced to handle the job.

Last week, a survey by local newspaper showed over 60 percent French people oppose junior Sarkozy's appointment. Some groups even launched online petitions urging his quit. French radios, televisions and newspapers focused on the row through the week.

La Defense, located in western Paris, is an important business center with headquarters of over 2000 giant firms and is regarded as Paris' economic artery. Some 150,000 people work at the 3.5 million square meters of office space every day.

Jean Sarkozy, the second son from President Sarkozy's first marriage, is already a councilor in the wealthiest Paris suburb of Neuilly, where the daddy Sarkozy started his political upbeat as mayor of the city.

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