In a closely watched court hearing, the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle over her biography, which has ignited a firestorm of controversy due to the inclusion of rumors about her personal life. Titled “La Secrete” (The Secretive One) and authored by French journalist Berengere Bonte, the book delves into intricate facets of Borne’s private world, including disputed claims regarding her sexual orientation. The case not only raises questions about the boundaries of privacy for public figures but also underscores the delicate balance between the right to freedom of the press and the protection of personal lives.
Within the pages of “La Secrete,” Bonte unveils rumors surrounding Borne’s alleged lesbianism, claims that the Prime Minister vehemently denies. The author goes on to disclose the name of a man presented as Borne’s partner in the press, shedding light on his previous civil partnership with another woman as recently as 2021. While Borne’s lawyer chose not to comment on the nature of this previous partnership or provide insight into the current dynamics of Borne’s relationships, the Prime Minister’s office refrained from issuing any official statements.
The biography goes beyond Borne’s personal relationships, also exploring sensitive topics such as the tragic suicide of her father, a Holocaust survivor of Jewish descent. Additionally, it portrays Borne as a workaholic prone to outbursts and reveals concerns expressed by family members regarding her health due to weight loss during previous high-pressure roles. Departing from the usual practice of French prime ministers refraining from legal action against journalists, Borne has taken the unprecedented step of seeking judicial intervention to remove approximately 200 lines from future editions of the book, despite its already sold-out status.
The revelations in “La Secrete” have left Borne deeply distressed, as she strongly objects to the intrusion into her private life. In an impassioned response, she asked, “When a journalist describes in detail the conditions of my father’s suicide, when she makes intrusive comments about my intimate life, my relationship with my son, my ex-husband, and spreads allegations about my health or sexual orientation, how can she claim that this was done with my consent?” Borne, in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper, expressed her frustration, stating, “At some point, one simply wants to say, ‘Enough is enough.'”
During the court hearing, the defendant’s lawyer, Olivier d’Antin, argued that Borne’s legal action constituted “censorship.” This case highlights the historical self-censorship by French media regarding politicians’ private lives, which was scrutinized when it was revealed that former French President Francois Mitterrand had concealed the existence of a daughter supported by public funds. In her defense of Borne’s position, her lawyer, Emilie Sudre, underscored her client’s refusal to yield to the “tyranny of transparency” and emphasized the proportionality of Borne’s requested measures. Sudre asserted, “Elisabeth Borne recognizes the importance of freedom of the press in a democracy.”
The verdict, scheduled for June 30, will determine the outcome of Borne’s legal battle against the controversial biographical book, which has thrust the delicate balance between personal privacy
