French President Francois Hollande has reportedly dismissed an accusation made by the former first lady in her book that says that he hated the poor as "a lie that hurts me."
Hollande said that he did not want anyone to think that he made fun of social hardship, reported the BBC.
Valerie Trierweiler, Hollande's ex-partner for nine years, has alleged in a memoir titled, Thank You For This Moment, that the Socialist President saw poor as "toothless ones," despite his reputation of being a "man of the left" who despised the rich.
The book was published last week and has already become a best-seller in France.
The allegation has been made at a time when his socialist government is struggling with high unemployment rates and stagnant economic growth and is due to face a vote of confidence next week.
