Bayrou denies Royal's sexism claims from 2007 election

Former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal has reignited a political controversy, accusing centrist leader François Bayrou of abandoning her during the 2007 election runoff. Royal, speaking on the "Legend" podcast, claimed Bayrou's refusal to back her against Nicolas Sarkozy was due to her gender.

“

You understand, I couldn't be number two to a woman. Can you imagine?

Royal stated that Bayrou later admitted, "You understand, I couldn't be number two to a woman." She presented this as evidence that her status as a woman made her an "intruder" in the political arena, facing opposition not only from rivals but also from within her own party. She described the "Socialist Party elephants" as being "furious" and the attacks she endured as often "below the belt."

François Bayrou, now president of the MoDem party, strongly refuted Royal's claims. Appearing on France 5, he denounced the accusations as "shameless lies." Bayrou asserted that Royal's allegations only confirmed his decision not to support her, stating it proved he "was not wrong in not supporting her" against Sarkozy, despite his own prior "confrontation" with the conservative candidate.

“

Shameless lies.

Royal further suggested that Bayrou missed a significant career opportunity by not aligning with her, implying he could have become prime minister and achieved more politically. She recalled the intense pressure and personal attacks she faced during the campaign, where opponents, unable to challenge her competence, attacked her "mentality," calling her "clumsy" and "crazy."

“

He missed his life too because he would have been prime minister (at the time), he would have had a political career, we would have done things.

The exchange highlights the lingering political tensions from the 2007 election, where Royal, despite reaching the second round, ultimately lost to Nicolas Sarkozy. Her recent comments aim to reframe the narrative of her defeat, placing blame on perceived sexism within the political establishment.

“

The elephants of the PS were furious, the attacks from my opponent were often below the belt (...) Since no one could sue me for incompetence or illegitimacy, they sued me on my mentality: 'She is clumsy, she is crazy'.