Royal splits from partner and Socialist leader

DEFEATED French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal said yesterday her partner, Socialist Party leader Francois Hollande, had moved out of their home.

The liaison between the two socialists, who have four children but never married, has dominated headlines since Ms Royal overtook her more experienced partner last year to become the party’s presidential challenger.

“We no longer live in the same home,” she told France Inter radio, after the split-up was reported in a new book.