France's First Lady CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY has sparked political controversy, amid fears her new scholarship programme for troubled teens is an attempt to sway votes in favour of her husband President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The supermodel-turned-singer is launching The Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Foundation to help troubled teens from Paris' toughest to make a break into the fashion industry.
The first 'Bruni scholars' from 30 high schools are set to be chosen next year (10).
However, Bruni's plans have already been criticised as a means for her husband to gain political mileage - and Robert Roger, the mayor of Bondy, which lies northeast of Paris, insists her motives are suspicious.
He says, "Sarkozy is using his starlet to soften his image. She will sprinkle a bit of glitter about, but it is not sufficient."