Recordings of secret conversations between France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy and his top aides, recorded by Patrick Buisson -- a former advisor -- were published by French weekly Le Canard Enchaine on Wednesday.
The recordings were said to have been leaked by a colleague of Buisson, with whom he had allegedly had a dispute previously.
The French daily has revealed only part of the recordings which dated February 27, 2011.
Top presidential officials are heard mocking the attendance of Sarkozy's wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, at meetings at the Elysee Palace.
According to the weekly newspaper, Sarkozy said, "we didn't hear those a**holes, dogs barking before..." to describe journalists waiting in front of the Elysee Palace.
The former president also talked about different choices for the appointment of a new prime minister. He had considered Alain Juppe to replace Francois Fillon and described several ministers, including Xavier Darcos and Roselyne Bachelot, as "catastrophic" and "useless."
The newspaper also revealed a phone conversation between Buisson and the editor of French daily Le Figaro, Etienne Mougeotte, in which Buisson recommended a headline for the newspaper. The headline he suggested appeared in the next day's newspaper.
Buisson, 64, is a former historian and journalist who became a political advisor to Sarkozy between 2007 and 2012.
Sarkozy has yet to comment on the matter.
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