MACRON BACKLASH: President forced to drop ‘official’ first lady role after public reaction
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron’s office published a transparency charter on Monday outlining the role his wife will play during his five-year term just weeks after the young leader was forced to drop controversial plans to write the position into French law.
President Macron said his wife Brigitte would carry out 'certain tasks' on behalf of the state
In a statement, the presidency said that Brigitte Macron would carry out “certain tasks” on behalf of the state, but would not get a public salary, budget, or separate office.
Mrs Macron will represent France alongside her husband during summits and international meetings, oversee events at the Elysée palace, and support charitable, cultural and social activities, the presidency said.
The role of first lady in France has never been codified or officially defined, although they often become informal champions for charitable causes - Mrs Macron, for example, will be working with charities helping children and disabled.
And while past presidential wives have had small teams working for them at the Elysée palace, none have been paid for their role.
Mr Macron was forced to drop controversial plans to write the position into French law
During his election campaign, Mr Macron, 39, said he wanted to “clarify” the role of the president’s wife by giving them an official status, although he made clear that the first lady should not receive a public salary.
He was quoted as saying at the time: “The person living with you should be able to have a role and be recognised for that role.”
The president claimed Brigitte would not get a public salary, budget, or separate office
Macron FORCED to reconsider wife's role due to public outrage
The person living with you should be able to have a role and be recognised for that role
His plans, however, sparked a chorus of disapproval and an online petition against Mr Macron’s initial plans to enshrine the role of first lady in the constitution gathered more than 300,000 signatures in less than six weeks.
While Mr Macron’s critics have largely remained silent on the issue, preferring instead to focus on picking apart the president’s plans to radically overhaul France’s strict labour laws, others have welcomed the government’s move.
Mrs Macron will represent France alongside her husband during summits and international meetings
Bruno Cautrès, a political analyst with the Cevipof think tank, told RTL radio on Monday said: “The transparency charter is nothing revolutionary, but it’s a step in the right direction… It’s a sign of progress.”