France: Marine Le Pen to meet Madonna for a drink

The implausible scene of pop star Madonna sharing a glass of red wine with Marine Le Pen threatened to become a reality, as the French far-right leader said she has agreed to the proposed get-together.

Madonna surprisingly invited the anti-immigration politician out for a drink during a TV talk show earlier this week, days after describing Le Pen's National Front (FN) party as "Fascist".

"I think that I would like to sit down and have a drink with Marine Le Pen," she told news show Grand Journal. "I want to understand where she's coming from."

"Maybe I misunderstood Marine Le Pen, I am not sure," she continued. "I don't want to start a war. I want peace in the world."

The music icon, who once famously showed in a Paris concert, a video featuring a photo of Le Pen with a swastika imposed on the forehead, explained she would now like to hear the politician's thoughts on human rights issues.

Sources close to 46-year-old nationalist leader initially told Europe 1 she was "considering" taking up the offer.

After a few hours of pondering, which seemingly involved consideration on the effect a refusal could possibly have on France's upcoming local elections, Le Pen agreed to meet with the Like A Virgin singer.

"I accept with pleasure Madonna's invitation. I appreciate people who have a good faith approach," she told AFP.

Details of the where and when of the unlikely gathering might take place were not immediately given.

Last week, the 56-year-old singer who is visiting France at the moment, compared the country to Nazi Germany.

Speaking on Europe 1 radio she lamented a rise in anti-Semitism and far-right rhetoric across Europe and particularly in France.

"It was a country that embraced everyone and encouraged freedom in every way, shape or form of artistic expression of freedom. Now that's completely gone," she said.

She went on accusing FN of fuelling racism, also saying she had received "a lot of criticism and threats" from its leader, whose name she pronounced incorrectly as "Marie Le Pen".

The two might now settle their differences before a glass of vin rouge.

FN and its members have often been accused of racism and anti-Semitism. Party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine's father, received regular fines for inciting racial hatred during his decades-long political career.

The party is nevertheless leading opinion polls ahead of local elections on 22 and 29 March, enjoying almost 30% of support.