Under-pressure French president Francois Hollande has faced the media over accusations he is having an affair but coolly side-stepped giving any details on his personal life.
His partner, journalist Valerie Trierweiler, has been in hospital since Friday, when a magazine published photos it said proved Mr Hollande’s liaison with actress Julie Gayet, heaping new pressure on the already unpopular leader.
He was asked following an economic policy speech whether Ms Trierweiler remains the first lady. In his first comments since the magazine report, he responded: “Everyone in his or her personal life can go through ordeals, that’s the case with us.”
Mr Hollande said his “indignation is total” over the report, calling it a “violation that touches a personal liberty.” He did not deny the report.
The latest revelations call into question whether a complex personal life can be private for someone with round-the-clock bodyguards, and about the role of the “first lady” in France. Ms Trierweiler is the first person to hold the post who was not married to the president.
Mr Hollande said he will clarify who the first lady is before he takes a presidential trip to the United States on February 11, but he would not comment further. He said that state funds spent on the first lady should be made public and be “as small as possible.” The first lady does not have formal status in France, but in practice they have an office in the presidential palace and small staff.
The pictures published in Closer included one of a man said to be Mr Hollande being ferried by motorcycle to an apartment where Ms Gayet waited.
The issue even reached the floor of parliament.