Trierweiler’s tweet was ‘treacherous’

The mother of French president Francois Hollande’s four children yesterday branded his new partner “a traitor” for backing her rival for a seat in parliament.

Segolene Royal, 58, has had her political ambitions wrecked following first lady Valerie Trierweiler’s tweet last week which sparked outrage in France.

Asked if Trierweiler’s tweet was to blame for her defeat in the western city of La Rochelle by left-winger Olivier Falorni, Royal said yesterday: “It certainly did not help, to put it mildly”.

She quoted novelist Victor Hugo, adding: “Traitors always pay for their treachery in the end.”

Meanwhile, the leader of France’s main far-right party demanded a recount after a loss to a Socialist in northern France.

Marine Le Pen said her National Front party will appeal to France’s Constitutional Council after results showed she lost to Philippe Kemel by 118 votes out of more than 55,000 cast a day earlier.