A FAR-RIGHT PARTY in France has said it will launch legal action after Madonna showed thousands of fans footage of its leader. With a swastika superimposed on her forehead.
The National Front said the images of Marine Le Pen bearing the Nazi symbol on her face were “unacceptable”, and that it was their “duty” to bring a legal complaint.
“A private plaintiff’s case for insult will be presented next week,” the party’s vice-president told Reuters after Madonna played a concert in Paris on Saturday.
The images appeared during a montage of footage – available on YouTube here – in which the singer’s face is merged with those of various international leaders including Pope Benedict and China’s Hu Jintao.
Marine Le Pen’s face appears, before a black swastika is flashed up on her forehead. The face is then replaced by Madonna’s, with a Hitler moustache.
Evidently the singer has never heard of Godwin’s Law. She is yet to respond to complaints over the footage, which has been used at around the world on Madonna’s current tour.
According to the Guardian, when the swastika images first emerged Le Pen warned: “If she tries that in France, we’ll see what happens.”
She added: “It’s understandable when ageing singers who need publicity go to such extremes.”
Irish fans may get the chance to see the swastika/Le Pen montage when Madonna plays Dublin on July 24.
And for all you French speakers out there, here’s the National Front spokesperson reacting to the news: