French leader Francois Hollande today began a new chapter in his presidency after splitting from his partner of eight years following an affair with a younger actress.
Under intense media scrutiny since the revelation of the affair two weeks ago, Hollande -- who had pledged a "normal" presidency after the domestically turbulent stint of his 'bling bling' predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy -- yesterday formally announced his split from Valerie Trierweiler.
"A Bachelor at the Elysee," said the Journal du Dimanche weekly, adding that Trierweiler's departure as first lady was "the end of an epoch".
Saying he was speaking as a private individual, Hollande, in a terse statement to AFP over the phone, said: "I wish to make it known that I have ended my partnership with Valerie Trierweiler."
Trierweiler, 48, had been convalescing at a presidential residence in Versailles outside Paris after leaving hospital last Saturday, where she was treated for what was described as fatigue brought on by press revelations of Hollande's affair with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet.
According to media reports, Trierweiler had been ready to forgive Hollande but the president, who has not denied the affair but refused to comment on it saying it was his personal life, wanted to pull the plug.
Trierweiler left for Mumbai today on a charity trip in her first public appearance since the scandal broke.
Her entourage said she was accompanied by a presidential bodyguard. A source close to her said: "She is on good terms with the president and she is better."
But 59-year-old Hollande, who has been attacked by the opposition for political dithering, came under fire from opponents for cheating in his personal life and for procrastinating.
