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Hollande ducks First Lady Valerie Trierweiler question | Hollande ducks First Lady Valerie Trierweiler question |
(35 minutes later) | |
French President Francois Hollande has said he is experiencing a "difficult moment" in his private life, following claims of an affair with an actress. | French President Francois Hollande has said he is experiencing a "difficult moment" in his private life, following claims of an affair with an actress. |
But he refused to answer questions over the report, saying "private matters should be dealt with privately". | But he refused to answer questions over the report, saying "private matters should be dealt with privately". |
Mr Hollande was speaking at his first news conference since the allegations in the magazine Closer last week. | Mr Hollande was speaking at his first news conference since the allegations in the magazine Closer last week. |
He said he would clarify whether Valerie Trierweiler was still first lady before a February trip to the US. | He said he would clarify whether Valerie Trierweiler was still first lady before a February trip to the US. |
The news conference was a long-planned event aimed at unveiling policies to help France's struggling economy. | |
In a speech lasting more than half an hour he addressed the main areas where business wants to see reform. | |
Facing hundreds of journalists at the presidential palace, Mr Hollande said it was "neither the time nor the place" to answer questions about his personal life. | |
He said he would not be drawn on the reports of the affairs with actress Julie Gayet "out of respect for those involved". | He said he would not be drawn on the reports of the affairs with actress Julie Gayet "out of respect for those involved". |
His partner Valerie Trierweiler is in hospital suffering from "shock" over the revelations, her aides say. | His partner Valerie Trierweiler is in hospital suffering from "shock" over the revelations, her aides say. |
She was admitted on Friday and is expected to remain in hospital for a few days. | She was admitted on Friday and is expected to remain in hospital for a few days. |
Economic pledges | |
In his New Year's address, Mr Hollande outlined ideas to combat unemployment - a key pledge in his campaign. | |
The recurrent criticism of economic policy in France is that government is too big and the burdens of tax and regulation - especially in the jobs market - are excessive. | |
He promised to slash 50bn euros (£41.5bn) in public spending over three years. | |
The president also gave more details on a proposed "responsibility pact" that would introduce tax cuts for firms in return for a commitment to hire more workers. | |
Analysts say the impact will, however, depend on how effectively these, and other commitments, can be implemented. | |
France is struggling with weak economic growth and persistent high unemployment. | |
Figures from October showed that 3.27 million people were out of work - 10.3% of the workforce. | |
Sliding popularity | |
There is a public interest in the infidelity allegations by Closer where they relate to Ms Trierweiler's status as first lady. | |
She has an office in the Elysee Palace with six staff, which is supported by public money. | |
The French media face strict privacy laws, but the tradition of secrecy over the private lives of public figures has been steadily eroded in recent years. | |
On Friday, Closer printed a seven-page article about the alleged affair between Mr Hollande and Ms Gayet. | |
It was illustrated with photos showing a man said to be the president visiting a flat near the Elysee Palace at the same time as Ms Gayet. | |
Mr Hollande, who has never married, left his previous partner, fellow Socialist politician Segolene Royal, to be with Ms Trierweiler. | |
The scandal comes at a difficult time for Mr Hollande, with opinion polls already suggesting he is one of the most unpopular French presidents ever. |