As the riots continue across France, the UMP party of prime minister interior minister Nicholas Sarkozy has created a stir by purchasing keywords like “riots” and “violence” on Google AdWords, and placing a political advertisement there. The ad is at the top of the paid search and leads to an online petition in support of M. Sarkozy, who is a candidate for the French presidency. Controversy has surrounded the fact that one of the words the agency has purchased is “racaille” – or scum – the contemptuous term Sarkozy used of the rioters.

The campaign is the work of French agency L’enchanteur des nouveaux médias. It will set a powerful precedent.