Leak of Macron's Secret Messages in New Book Sparks Widespread Political Controversy in France

French President Emmanuel Macron learned just three days before the release of a new book that private correspondence and conversations held via an encrypted messaging app between him and journalist Françoise Degois were set to become public. These revelations appear to contradict the strict principles the head of state had previously imposed on himself regarding his relations with the media.

Titled "Vous êtes tous trop durs avec moi" (You are all too hard on me) and published by Éditions Robert Laffont, the left-leaning journalist and former advisor to Ségolène Royal chose to include excerpts of dialogues conducted with Macron over a two-year period, admitting that she had not sought his permission before making them public. Sources close to the French presidency confirmed they were caught off guard by the book's existence shortly before its scheduled release on Thursday, November 5.

Sharp Stances on the Far Right and Parliamentary Dissolution

In these exchanges, Macron addressed—using informal and direct language—the fallout from his June 2024 decision to dissolve the National Assembly, as well as the steady rise of the far-right National Rally party. Macron maintained that the dissolution, despite its political toll, halted the advance of Marine Le Pen's party, arguing that the party had been prepared for a showdown in the autumn rather than in June.

In another message dating back to June 2024, Macron stated: "The machine wants blood... it wants the National Rally," adding in a defiant tone: "Am I afraid? No, forward! We'll get them all!" The French president went on to warn against the maneuvers of traditional right-wing figures: "In reality, every move plays into the hands of the National Rally, and if you look at the men of the right, most of them are rushing toward the National Rally. That is why I insist: we must lower the temperature and stop playing with matches."

Justifying the Rejection of the Left and Criticizing Gabriel Attal

Macron also justified his outright refusal to appoint a prime minister from the left-wing bloc following the National Assembly elections, noting that the left did not win, but rather the National Rally made gains, and asserting that any left-wing government would quickly collapse in the absence of consensus. Macron's criticism also targeted his former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, whom he distanced from his inner circle, writing tersely about him: "We gave him a lot, all the time, too much."

Conversely, the French presidency sought to downplay the significance of these leaks, pointing out that the substance of the messages is broadly consistent with Macron's public statements. For his part, Gabriel Attal stated on BFMTV that these details "do not matter to the French people," adding that everyone is free to make remarks to whomever they choose.

Contradiction with Past Pledges and Political Reactions

The affair recalls pledges made by Emmanuel Macron during his 2016 presidential campaign, when he rejected what he termed "collusion" between politicians and journalists, sharply criticizing the experience of his predecessor François Hollande, whose confidences to journalists triggered a political crisis for his administration before the end of his term.

The leaks drew reactions across French political circles. Aurélien Taché, a lawmaker representing La France Insoumise, argued that Macron knew full well what he was doing through those messages. Meanwhile, Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, a minister delegate and close ally of Macron, described the journalist's conduct as "extremely strange" and akin to betrayal, while emphasizing that off-the-record conversations rarely remain secret in the media sphere.