The presidency of Francois Hollande has been tossed into a storm of chaos following a story by Closer Magazine which alleged that the president was involved in an affair with actress Julie Gayet, age 41. While there has been no photograph showing the French president in any compromising position with Ms. Gayet, the tabloid magazine was able to capture him going into and out of her residence.

The sting of betrayal may be behind the recent hospitalization of his partner Valerie Trierweiler, age 48. The photographs showed President Hollande leaving Gayet's residence atop a motorbike wearing a large globe-like helmet that didn't exactly project the image of manliness he would have preferred.

For her part, Ms. Gayet has filed a lawsuit against Closer Magazine for the modest sum of 50,000 euros ($68,000 USD) plus a 4,000 more euros to cover her legal expenses. It is telling that she is not suing for defamation of character, but rather for the illegal invasion of her privacy. Neither President Hollande nor Ms. Gayet have denied the allegations of an affair. The humiliation is enormous for Mrs. Trierweiler who was set to accompany the president on an official visit to the US in the role of France's First Lady.

On The Web:
Julie Gayet sues Closer over Hollande 'affair' report
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25768016