France Télévisions has finally found a replacement for Thomas sotto. In a statement relayed on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, the group announced that Laurent Guimier, news director of France Télévisions, will co-host the political program Elysee 2022 alongside Léa Salamé. As a reminder, Thomas Sotto had announced his withdrawal due to his romantic relationship with Mayada Boulos, the communications advisor to Prime Minister Jean Castex.
As AFP points out, the next show will take place on November 30, where the new duo will animate the decisive debate of the LR candidates on the eve of the congress, specified France Télévisions. Succeeding It’s your turn to speak, Elysée 2022 is France 2’s major political meeting once a month live at 9:05 p.m., with a view to the presidential election. His audiences are currently struggling. The first number, with Valérie Pécresse, candidate for the right-wing primary, who faced the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, had attracted only 1.05 million viewers on average, for an audience share (PDA) 5.1%, according to Médiamétrie.
On November 7 with the Parisian, Thomas Sotto commented on this difficult and “fairly unfair” decision: “I have to take into account our time, which has become very violent and which tends to hysterize everything. The suspicion is widespread. A lot of people set themselves up as prosecutors. In principle, even before I opened my mouth I would have been considered guilty, even while being professionally flawless. I do not want to be open to the slightest ambiguity and take the risk of weakening the work and the perception of the editorial staff of France 2 to which I am viscerally attached“, declared the one who can count on the support of his colleague and friend Léa Salamé.”My only consolation is to be the first man to step aside for a woman, whereas until now it was always them who were asked to stay at home.. ”
Deprived of political broadcasting, Thomas Sotto still retains his post at the helm of Telematin with Julia Vignali and will continue to replace Laurent Delahousse at 20 hours of France 2.