`Tough time` for President François Hollande as he skirts questions over affair

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha Moscow: As the dust refuses to settle down over the alleged affair of the French President Francois Hollande with an actress, the leader chose to keep mum over the issue, asserting that the private affairs must be dealt with privately.

Hollande, who took questions in a press conference at Elysee Palace, first after the sensational revelations in the French magazine Closer, claimed his right to privacy when he dodged the questions related to the de facto First Lady of France, Valerie Trierweiler. The press conference which was planned to be related to the President`s policies on the economy, eneded up making headlines for the President`s alleged affair with the French actress Julia Gayet. Answering a volley of questions from a crowd of journalists at his presidential palace, Hollande said it was neither the “time or the place” to dwell on the controversy. "I understand your question and I`m sure you will understand my response...Everyone in their personal lives can go through tough times. That is the case (for me). These are painful moments,” said Hollande.    Hollande said that "private matters should be dealt with privately" adding that he will clarify the answer to that question before the Feb 11 trip to Washington, when the First lady was supposed to accompany him to White House. Hollande added that he would not like to touch upon the issue "out of respect for those involved". When asked about the health of the First Lady, Hollande managed with a short reply that she was resting. Hollande`s partner Valerie Trierweiler, whom France regards as its de facto First Lady was reportedly in “shock” and had to be hospitalised just hours after the scandalous report in the French magazine Closer, which published a seven-page illustrated account of the alleged affair of the President with the actress. The report which allegedly showed a helmeted man on a scooter as the President also raised questions on his personal security, to which Hollande replied, "When I travel officially and when I travel on a private basis, I have protection that is less suffocating. But I am protected everywhere.``