Posted on 06/12/2012 12:25:26 PM PDT by Cincinna
Just days before the second round of France’s parliamentary elections, a controversy has erupted that threatens to embarrass President Francois Hollande, whose Socialist Party is expected to coast to victory and gain a majority in the National Assembly.
Hollande’s new problems arises from his complicated personal life – his current “significant other” Valerie Trierweiler (whom he has not married) supports a Socialist politician named Olivier Falorni for the parliamentary seat in La Rochelle, in western France.
Hollande backs a woman named Segolene Royal.
What makes this imbroglio particularly interesting is that Royal is Hollande’s former longtime lover and the mother of his four children. Indeed, Royal is the woman Hollande left for Trierweiler.
"Ségolène Royal is the only candidate of the presidential majority who can be assured of my support," Hollande said.
Royal, who lost the French presidential election in 2007 to Nicolas Sarkozy, won 32 percent of the vote for the parliamentary seat in La Rochelle during Sunday’s first-round election, to 29 percent for Falorni (who has rejected demands by the party to give up the contest).
Following the result, on her Twitter account, Trierweiler wrote: "Good luck to Olivier Falorni who has done nothing worthy of blame, who has fought alongside the people of La Rochelle for so many years with selfless commitment."
Now, with Trierweiler's backing, Falorni may gather enough momentum to defeat Royal in the second and decisive round of voting. If he succeeds, Trierweiler will likely have removed Royal from any government seat in Hollande’s administration.
(Excerpt) Read more at ibtimes.com ...
Hollande’s new problems arises from his complicated personal life – his current “significant other” Valerie Trierweiler (whom he has not married) supports a Socialist politician named Olivier Falorni for the parliamentary seat in La Rochelle, in western France.Hollande backs a woman named Segolene Royal.
What makes this imbroglio particularly interesting is that Royal is Hollande’s former longtime lover and the mother of his four children. Indeed, Royal is the woman Hollande left for Trierweiler.
"Is the screwing you get worth the screwing you get?" PING
Big trouble at the Palace for President Monsieur Normal as First Mistress Valerie Trierweiler tweets her support for former mistress Segolène Royal’s opponest in legislative race.
I know, folks, it’s France, but this is ridiculous, even for them.
That’s what you get, François, for ditching the mother of your four children for the ambitious pushy indiscreet Valerie, and installing her in the Presidential Palace as “First Girlfriend”.
Get out the popcorn, this is going to be fun!
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”
—H. L. Mencken
With the final round if the legislative elections on Sunday, June 17, this might have an impact.
Can a man who cannot control his own girlfriend be trusted with the country?
Or, maybe, Valerie is just being used to speak fir him- to screw Segolène royally once again!
Valerie prefers not to support Royal, whom she obviously has reason to perceive as a rival. Also not very surprising.
Maybe I'm just not cursed with the soap-opera gene, but I don't see what makes this newsworthy.
the French view this sort of thing as very sophisticated and, in fact, a resume enhancement.
C’est parti!
Hollande is unfortunately, not just some guy. He is President of the French Republic. To have this kind of thing going on, shows him as weak, unable to control his girlfriend, who is portrayed as First Lady of France.
Imagine an American President supporting a candidate, and the First Lady publicly supporting his opponent.
Thanks to Sherman Logan for the great link to Historical Mustresses in France. A fascinating look at the practice under the French Monarchy brought back by Socialist François Hollande.
Great pictures as well!
The official French Mistresses like Madame du Pompadour and du Barry were fashion and cultural trendsetters, with a high level of discretion and culture. One, Louise de Lavalliere gave her name to the necklace we all still know as the lavalier. Another, Madame de Maintenon, who was born in prison and was brought in as governess to his children after his wife died, was a pious lady with great conviction and quiet dignity, who eventually became the wife of Louis XIV, although the marriage was kept secret.
Françoise d’Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon
Read her story here:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7oise_d%27Aubign%C3%A9,_marquise_de_Maintenon
The fascinating story of the extraordinary woman who was born in a French prison, (the custom was to house the family of an imprisoned man in prison with him). She eventually married King Louis XIV, brought him back to the church, and remained his loyal consort and advisor until his death.
Her life is recounted in the book and made for TV movie, The King’s Way (l’Allée du Roi) by Françoise Chadornagor.
I love this book and highly recommend it.
Here in English at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0140076999
Thanks Cincinna.
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