Macron's private messages to journalist revealed in new book

Two years of private messages published

Telegram exchanges between President Emmanuel Macron and journalist Françoise Degois have been published in a new book titled Vous êtes tous trop durs avec moi by Robert Laffont on Thursday.

Macron learned of book three days before release

According to a source close to the president, the Élysée only learnt of the book on Monday. Degois, a former adviser to Socialist politician Ségolène Royal turned political commentator, did not seek Macron's approval.

Messages cover turbulent moments of second term

The exchanges cover Macron's controversial dissolution of parliament in June two thousand twenty-four, the ensuing political deadlock and the rise of the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.

Macron defiant on stopping the far right

Macron insisted the June two thousand twenty-four dissolution helped contain the National Rally.In June two thousand twenty-six, when asked if he was worried about an RN victory, he responded: "No!Cheer up!We'll get them!All of them!"

“No! Cheer up! We'll get them! All of them!”

Macron rejected appointing left-wing prime minister

When Degois suggested giving the left an opportunity to govern after the inconclusive two thousand twenty-four parliamentary elections, Macron rejected the idea, telling her: "You didn't win. It was the RN that won."

“You didn't win. It was the RN that won.”

Macron criticized former ally Gabriel Attal

Macron's criticism extended to his former prime minister Gabriel Attal, once considered a close ally. "We've given him too much. All the time. Too much," Macron wrote in the messages.

“We've given him too much. All the time. Too much.”

Questions raised about Macron's media relationship

The book revives questions about Macron's relationship with the press. In two thousand sixteen, he criticized excessive closeness between politicians and journalists, saying he had no journalist friends and did not collude.