French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal stated that if he wins the election, he would move into the Elysée Palace with his romantic partner, EU industry chief Stéphane Séjourné. The relationship raises questions about a potential conflict of interest given Séjourné's role as a European commissioner.
The statement highlights a potential conflict of interest for a leading presidential candidate, as his partner holds a significant EU position, raising questions about divided loyalties and the intersection of national and European political careers.
French presidential hopeful Gabriel Attal has stated that if he wins the upcoming election, he would move into the Elysée Palace with his romantic partner, Stéphane Séjourné, who currently serves as an EU industry chief. Attal, a leading figure in Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, made the remarks in an interview on French broadcaster LCI.
Attal and Séjourné, who previously were in a civil partnership from 2017 to 2022 before rekindling their relationship in 2024, have maintained separate careers. Attal emphasized this separation in the interview, stating, "We have always separated our careers. We are two public figures, but we don’t put ourselves on show together… we each follow our own paths separately."
However, Séjourné's position as a European commissioner, which requires prioritizing EU interests over national matters and extends beyond the French presidential election in April 2027, raises questions about a potential conflict of interest. Neither Séjourné's nor Attal's spokespersons commented on this potential conflict when reached for this story.
Recent polls indicate that Attal is trailing Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, and former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, his main ideological rival, in the presidential race.