PARIS (AFP) - A political thriller co-written by France's new Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is to be made into a film.

In The Shadows, set during the final days of a neck-and-neck French presidential election, is being adapted for the screen by one of the country's best-loved actors, Guillaume Gallienne, according to reports.

The book, which Philippe wrote with fellow right-wing political insider Gilles Boyer, caused a minor stir because of the sexism of its principal character.

Male chauvinism in French politics has become a hot issue after female MPs claimed to have been groped, whistled at or subjected to sexist comments in parliament.

Gallienne won two prizes at the Cannes film festival in 2013 for his comedy Garcons Et Guillaume,A Table! in which he took on writing, acting and directing duties.