François Hollande wants “no more first ladies in the Elysée in future”, it emerged following the furore over his alleged affair with an actress.
The French president’s comments are the clearest indication yet of his plans, and come as his advisers said it would be best for him to remain a “bachelor president” for the time being.
According to Michaël Darmon, a reporter with iTele, Mr Hollande made his views crystal clear in a chat with French journalists at the Elysée.
“François Hollande returned to the status of a potential first lady, saying: 'I don’t want any more first ladies in the future at the Elysée’,” Mr Darmon said.
One of Mr Hollande’s advisers told Le Figaro newspaper on Monday: “If there must be a split, it must be dignified and elegant regarding Valérie Trierweiler. And above all, Julie Gayet mustn’t instantly move into the Elysée.” Rather, Mr Hollande should remain a “bachelor president” for the time being, the adviser is cited as saying.
Elysée sources told the Telegraph that while Miss Trierweiler was keen on remaining a couple, the president’s mind is made up and that he was “in negotiations, including legal ones” to end the relationship.
The Elysée said that Mr Hollande had already planned to go the Netherlands alone before news of his affair broke.
On Monday, Mr Hollande told reporters at the Hague that Miss Trierweiler “is feeling better and is resting at this time”.
On Saturday she left the Salpétrière hospital for La Lanterne, a hunting lodge near the Palace of Versailles used as a presidential retreat, thanking well-wishers for their support “from the bottom of my heart”. It was unclear whether the president, who had paid her one visit in hospital last Thursday, had gone to see her at La Lanterne on Monday.