Paris
France’s first major female presidential candidate has slipped in the polls after a public dispute with her longtime partner and father of her four children. Ségolène Royal is the Socialist Party’s nominee for president; her companion, François Hollande, is the party’s chairman. When Hollande announced that the Socialists planned to raise taxes, Royal interrupted him. “That’s not how I see things,” she said. “I’m not in favor of increasing taxes.” A week later, her campaign spokesman made things worse by trying to joke about the disagreement. Asked what his candidate’s weaknesses were, the spokesman said, “Ségolène Royal has only one flaw—her companion.” Royal promptly suspended him. Since the gaffes, her poll ratings have dropped from a two-point lead over her conservative rival, Nicolas Sarkozy, to an eight-point disadvantage.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The elite falcon trade in the Middle EastUnder the Radar Popularity of the birds of prey has been ‘soaring’ despite doubts over the legality of sourcing and concerns for animal welfare
-
A running list of the international figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth The president has grown bolder in flexing executive clemency powers beyond national borders
-
Mixed nuts: RFK Jr.’s new nutrition guidelines receive uneven reviewsTalking Points The guidelines emphasize red meat and full-fat dairy
