When François Hollande sits down to dinner with Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday, many eyes will be fixed on the “empty chair” beside the French president, following his split with Valérie Trierweiler after reports of an affair.
The trip will illustrate Hollande’s now very definite split from journalist Trierweiler, a predicament which the president likely entertained while he was carrying out his alleged affair with actress Julie Gayet, judging by the speed at which his relationship dissolved.
Probed by journalists on Trierweiler’s status as first lady on January 14, Hollande said he would clarify the issue before the trip to Washington, making it something of a deadline (which he was in advance of – he confirmed his split with Trierweiler on Jan 25).
President Obama and wife Michelle had expressed eagerness – formulaic no doubt but nonetheless – in welcoming François and Valérie, whose predecessor Carla Bruni, wife of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, is said to have got along famously with the American First Lady.
“Michelle and I look forward to welcoming President Hollande and Valérie Trierweiler,” Obama said in November, long before the Gayet affair emerged.
Since then, France has been rocked by the revelation of the affair, Trierweiler checked into hospital for “un coup de blues”, Gayet has sued Closer magazine for violation of privacy and Hollande has seen his approval ratings climb and then plummet to their lowest ever – below 20%.
france24
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