French singer’s criticism of ‘rightwing’ hit song causes political stir

Politicians weigh in on Michel Sardou’s 1980s Lakes of Connemara after Juliette Armanet calls it ‘odious’

French politicians have interrupted their holidays to wade into a national debate – described in one newspaper headline as “absurd” – after a singer criticised the massively popular 1980s hit Les Lacs du Connemara (Lakes of Connemara).

The political song and dance started when Juliette Armanet, whose last album sold 200,000 copies, was asked by the Belgian pop broadcaster Tipik what three songs would make her leave a party.