And on a different note...
We've talked about how Segolene Royal, the losing Socialist presidential candidate last month (tho she didnt do too badly), is half of France's "power couple" - her relationship with Francois Hollande, Socialist Party chief, political rival and significant other, has certainly attracted some interest and speculation.
Well,
theyve split up.
The revelation that they split up at some point in the past, with Segolene refusing to say when exactly, comes in a book that will be published on Wednesday.
(Now that would be totally unthinkable, I think, for a presidential candidate to keep that secret until the elections are over, in the US or the UK - and I think the difference reflects well on France..)
Segolene in the book requests not to be called Hollande's "partner" anymore, since "that is no longer the case". She adds:
"J'ai demandé à François Hollande de quitter le domicile, de vivre son histoire sentimentale de son côté, désormais étalée dans les livres et les journaux, et je lui ai souhaité d'être heureux. .. On est en bons termes, on se parle, il y a du respect mutuel."
Royal is widely expected to stand as candidate to succeed Hollande as party chief, and considering the turmoil in the party it's in her interest to have those elections be held as soon as possible; but Hollande has been trying to hold on to the office and push the election date forward.
Oy, must that have been.. stressful. And am I glad I dont work at France's Socialist Party HQ. :wink:
