Carla Bruni Has a Baby

No dream: This is really happening.
The baby is said to have her father’s eyes.

In a development that has absolutely nothing to do with Nicolas Sarkozy’s re-election campaign, Franco–Italian singer–actress Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had a baby girl last night, becoming the first French President’s wife ever to give birth during her husband’s term of office. Bernadette Chirac would have been happy to oblige, of course, but nobody ever thought to ask her.

Analysts in the conservative UMP (Union for a Popular Movement) party are confident that President Sarkozy really is the father. Around the world, celebrations greeted the happy news.

Here’s one such party, in Britain yesterday.

In a curious coincidence (or is it?), at more or less the precise moment the baby was born, Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi, quite possibly President Sarkozy’s all-time least-favorite dinner guest, died. That ought to keep believers in reincarnation busy for at least a couple of decades.

On the bright side, this morning’s news relieves the proud parents of having to invite Qaddafi to the christening.

It’s unclear how many thousands of boys are going to be frustrated when it becomes apparent that Bruni probably won’t look much like this the next time she has her picture taken.

Quelqu’un m’a dit …

Yet again, however, Madame Chirac has a lot of spare time on her hands these days and is probably looking for an opportunity like this. How long before somebody asks her?

But really, this is a time to join the world in wishing the Sarkozys all the best on this happy day. Bonne chance, Sarkozette! It looks as if you’re gonna need it.

Opa! Greeks were celebrating yesterday, too.