Controversies, audience records, internal dissent... Léa Salamé's erratic year at France 2's "20 Heures"

Léa Salamé will not return to host France 2's "20 Heures" evening news program next season, she announced recently. Her decision comes after a tumultuous year at the helm, marked by controversies and audience fluctuations.

Salamé stated her departure is directly tied to her partner, Raphaël Glucksmann, officially entering the 2027 presidential race. She had previously declared in February that if he were a candidate, she would leave the anchor desk. "If he is a candidate, I am leaving the airwaves. (...) I do not want the French people to have the slightest doubt," she explained at the time.

Glucksmann confirmed his presidential candidacy on TF1 this past Sunday, August 23, triggering Salamé's exit from the news program she began hosting on September 1. Her tenure was marked by several challenging moments, including an early incident just two weeks into her role.

During an interview with actress Marion Cotillard to promote the film "Karma," Salamé reportedly confused the release date and asked what was perceived as an intrusive question about Cotillard's private life. The article suggests this was one of several controversies that punctuated Salamé's year as anchor.