French prime minister's novels put attitude to women in spotlight

Some believe the two thrillers written by Édouard Philippe may reveal clues about his thoughts on women and politics

France’s new president, Emmanuel Macron, may have written several unpublished novels inspired by everything from the Spanish conquest of Mexico to the life of a Paris pianist, but it is the literary endeavours of his newly appointed government that have come under the spotlight this week.

Nine of its members have published books, from political essays and historical biographies to pulp fiction and political crime thrillers. The culture minister heads a major publishing house, and the economy minister, rightwing Bruno Le Maire, once wrote racy romances about a lovestruck nurse – under a pseudonym – before graduating to literary fiction and memoirs.

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