Star news anchor steps down as her partner launches French presidential bid – POLITICO

Journalist Léa Salamé said she will temporarily step down from her role anchoring French public television’s primetime news broadcast, the 20h, while her romantic partner, the MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, runs for the French presidency.

“The 20h is a strategic platform where interviews with the candidates and campaign reports will be among the highlights of the coming year,” Salamé said in an Instagram post on Monday announcing her decision. “Wherever the campaign takes place, I’ll step aside. Everywhere else, I am and will remain a journalist.”

Since taking her seat in the anchor’s chair of the 20h on France TV, Salamé has faced questions over the potential conflict of interest if Glucksmann, who has long signaled his presidential ambitions, were to join the race to replace Emmanuel Macron next year. Glucksmann announced his candidacy Sunday on TF1, France TV’s main competitor when it comes to the evening news.