Books lift lid on Francois Hollande's love triangle
The relationship between the French President, his ex and his lover is the subject of a publishing frenzy
THE "PSYCHODRAMA" of French President Francois Hollande's private life has inspired a publishing frenzy in France. Several new books are set to lift the lid on the political love triangle between Hollande, his current partner, journalist Valerie Trierweiler, and his ex, the former presidential candidate Segolene Royal.
The most hard-hitting book, Entre Deux Feux (Between Two Fires), is released today and looks set to be embarrassing for both Hollande and Trierweiler, according to The Guardian.
Written by two investigative journalists, Anne Rosencher and Anna Cabana, the book is damaging for Hollande, because he promised voters he would not put his love life on display like his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy. It is also highly critical of Trierweiler.
Entre Deux Feux traces the background to Trierweiler’s now-infamous tweet that, the writers argue, put the love triangle into the public arena. In June, Trierweiler took to Twitter to voice support for one of Royal’s political rivals and this effectively "opened the door to the president's bedroom".
Trierweiler allegedly began a secret relationship with Hollande as early as 2005 when she was reporting on the Socialist party. Royal is said to have warned Trierweiler off, saying: "Everyone says you're François's mistress, it's unbearable for me."
The book also claims that Hollande tried to get back with Royal, his partner of 30 years with whom he has four children, in 2007 after she ran for president.
Entre Deux Feux is scathing about Trierweiler, portraying her as nervous and paranoid. It quotes one Hollande ally as saying she is lacking in self-confidence, and claims that she was told by a mentor to drink half a glass of wine before presenting her TV show.
Unfortunately for Trierweiler, Entre Deux Feux is only one of several books being released about the President’s private life.
Another book, La Favourite, an open letter to the "dangerous" Trierweiler, is already out, while L'Ex, about Royal, will be published next week.
Trierweiler's own book, a collection of photos from the campaign entitled Francois Hollande President: 400 Days Behind the Scenes of a Victory, has been a sales flop. ·
