French President Francois Hollande had threatened legal action against the French magazine 'Closer' for publishing reports of him having an affair with actress Julie Gayet.
The 59-year-old President complained of breach of privacy by the magazine, which carried a seven-page report about the alleged affair with photos.
"Francois Hollande greatly deplores the invasion of his privacy, to which he has a right as any other citizen does. He is studying what action, including legal action, to take following this publication," the source said, reported Reuters.
According to the 'Closer,' Hollande regularly drives through Paris to spend a night with the 41-year-old French actress, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. "Around New Year's Day, a helmeted head of state joined the actress at her apartment, where he has got into the habit of spending the night," 'Closer' wrote in the article.
The magazine published a photo of a helmeted Hollande along with his bodyguard outside Gayet's apartment, according to the Reuters. The same bodyguard was seen carrying a bag of croissant to the building the next morning.
Gayet reportedly filed a complaint for breach of privacy last March after rumors of her relationship with the French president surfaced. She is a mother of two and has appeared in over 50 films. She was seen in Hollande's 2012 election ad campaigns.
According to the Agence France Press, France's reputed news weekly L'Express reported last month that the presidential palace's security services were increasingly concerned about Hollande's frequent "escapades."
Media reports claim that Hollande, who came to power in 2012, is the most unpopular president of France. He is being held responsible for the weak economy, reports Reuters. He is in a relationship with former journalist Valerie Trierweiler.
A recent survey revealed that only 23 percent of French people were positive about Hollande's performance as president, according to the AFP.
Hollande has four children from a previous relationship with Segolene Royal, a senior member of his Socialist Party and a 2007 presidential candidate. However, the two separated after Royal lost the 2007 election to Nicolas Sarkozy.
In 2012, the weekly magazine drew massive criticism for publishing topless pictures of Kate Middleton, Britain's Duchess of Cambridge.
