Keyword: carla bruni

Michèle Marchand: a woman at the heart of power in France

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Michèle Marchand at the Élysée in November 2017. © Ludovic Marin/AFP Michèle Marchand at the Élysée in November 2017. © Ludovic Marin/AFP

The “queen of the paparazzi” Michèle 'Mimi' Marchand, who is currently in the news in relation to aspects of the probe into Libyan funding of Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign, is reported to be close to Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron. She was a regular visitor to the Élysée at the start of President Macron's term of office in 2017, though became a more discreet presence after July 2018 and the emergence of the Benalla affair, when the president's personal security advisor Alexandre Benalla was videoed beating up protestors. Yet the influential position that the presidential couple granted her at the centre of power in France continues to raise questions, reports Ellen Salvi.

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Open letter linking Islam to anti-Semitism sparks backlash in France

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Signed by prominent figures, it drew a link between anti-Semitism and Islam, blaming Islamist radicalisation for a 'quiet ethnic purge' of Jews.

Carla Bruni to front French contribution to Band Aid

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Bob Geldorf asked the wife of Nicolas Sarkozy to lead French music stars to record a French single for Band Aid, called 'Noël est là'.

Book tells of private misery of France’s ‘First Ladies’

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Author reveals the boredom, frustration and the feeling of being sidelined that has been endured by Premières Dames in recent decades.

Sarkozy and Bruni launch legal action to block secret tapes

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The couple hope to stop any further publication of secret recordings of Sarkozy's confidential conversations made during his time as president.

Spotlight on ex-first lady Bruni as France's Sarkozy eyes comeback

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Political watchers and brand analysts say 46-year-old singer and former model Carla Bruni is still the perfect foil to the ex-president.

Emotional Bruni defends Sarkozy over Bettencourt investigation

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Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni tells French radio it is 'unthinkable' that he could have abused the frailty of a woman who was his mother's age.

Carla Bruni backs gay marriage - but not feminism

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France's former first lady Carla Bruni says she disagrees with husband Nicolas Sarkozy and supports plans to allow gay marriage and adoption.

Bruni dresses down for Sarkozy re-election bid

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As Nicolas Sarkozy strives in his re-election campaign to shed a flashy image, his wife Carla Bruni appeared to be undergoing a reverse makeover.

Carla Bruni says being First Lady 'lot less work' than supermodel, confirms pregnancy

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Carla Bruni says in an interview that being French First Lady is "a lot less work" than being a supermodel and finally confirms she is pregnant.