Free Carla Bruni CDs to be given away in taxpayer-funded campaign

London, May 5 (ANI): Thousands of Carla Bruni CDs will be given away for free in a French campaign funded by the country's taxpayers.

The Ministry of Agriculture will send the album, along with wine and cheese vouchers, across the world to promote international food and drink sales.

In return, the Government will ask people to host "Gallic evening" during which they will have to show France's best products to their pals, and then write about their promotion on the Web.

But the initiative has left many frowning after being seen as a way to promote the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the expense of taxpayers' money, amounting up to as much as 1 million pounds.

Critic Gerald Andrieu tagged the Italian-born singer as "Carla-Antoinette", drawing a comparison between the First Lady and French queen Marie Antoinette who was constantly pampered by husband, Louis XVI.

Andrieu, in the highbrow political weekly Marianne, added it would be no surprise if Bruni would become the poster girl for other French industries, including fashion.

"We wait with impatience the promotional week of haute couture. For Carla-Antoinette of Italy, it will perhaps be the occasion for her to get rid of her old dresses which she doesn't want anymore," the Telegraph quoted him as saying. (ANI)