 |
| An April 4, 2012 file picture shows Royal shaking hands with Trierweiler (right) during a campaign meeting at the Parc des expositions in Rennes, western France |
In a message on the popular microblog, Valerie Trierweiler told Olivier Falorni, a left-winger who has defied Socialist Party orders to step aside in favour of Royal in a constituency in western France, to “Take heart”.
The Tweet praised Falorni, who is being shunned by Segolene’s backers, saying that he had spent years working with the people of the constituency where he is running, the western seaside town of La Rochelle.
Hollande’s Socialist Party ditched Falorni earlier this year over his refusal to pull out of that contest, a race which could prevent Royal from holding a frontline political post if she fails to win the National Assembly seat.
Royal, the mother of Hollande’s four children, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2007, the year she announced that she and Hollande were splitting after 25 years together.
Last year, she cried after being knocked out early in the Socialist primary for this year’s presidential election that Hollande went on to win on May 6.
Trierweiler, 47, a twice-divorced journalist, has been living with Hollande for several years, after growing close to him towards the end of his relationship with Royal.
Hollande, 57, never married Royal and has not indicated that he will marry Trierweiler to formalise her role as First Lady.
Trierweiler and her staff did not respond to a Reuters query regarding the Tweet.
Falorni, who came second to Royal in a first-round vote on Sunday and hopes to beat her in a run-off on June 17, did respond to the Tweet though, saying: “This is a sweet surprise for me.”