Bruni Quits Festival Over Song That Mocks Sarko

France's first lady Carla Bruni has pulled out of Italy's San Remo music festival, surprising organizers who suspect she may be acting on her husband's orders. The withdrawal is being blamed on a song in the festival's competition that pokes fun at hubby Nicolas Sarkozy and suggests he may use his glamorous wife to distract the public from his political problems, the Independent reports.

A presenter on the state channel that broadcasts the music festival, Italy's largest, claimed to have email from Bruni's staff saying the French president's office had vetoed her appearance. The offending song, "Meno Male" by singer-songwriter Simone Christicchi, is now being tipped to win the contest, thanks to the controversy. (More Carla Bruni stories.)