Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron
Born	(1977-12-21) December 21, 1977 Amiens, France
Occupation(s)	Politician, former civil servant, investment banker
Years active	1998–present
Known for	President of France, Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs

Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron (born 21 December 1977) is a French statesman who has held the positions of President of France and Co-Prince of Andorra since 2017. Between 2014 and 2016, he served as Minister of the Economy, Industry, and Digital Affairs under President François Hollande. In 2016, he established the centrist and pro-European political party Renaissance.

Macron was born in Amiens and pursued philosophy studies at Paris Nanterre University. He obtained a master's degree in public affairs from Sciences Po and completed his education at the in 2004. His early career included roles as a senior civil servant at the Inspectorate General of Finances and as an investment banker with Rothschild & Co. After Hollande's election in 2012, Macron was appointed Élysée deputy secretary-general, acting as a senior adviser before his appointment as Economics Minister in 2014. During his tenure, he implemented reforms favoring business interests before stepping down in 2016 to launch his presidential bid. Previously affiliated with the Socialist Party from 2006 to 2009, he contested the presidency under his movement En Marche.

Macron’s victory in May 2017, partly benefiting from the Fillon affair, saw him win with 66% of the vote against Marine Le Pen of the National Front. At 39 years old, he became France’s youngest president. His party, later renamed La République En Marche! (LREM), secured a majority in the National Assembly during the 2017 legislative elections. After defeating Le Pen again in the 2022 presidential race, Macron became the first French leader to secure a second term since 2002. Nevertheless, his centrist alliance lost its parliamentary majority in the 2022 legislative elections, producing a hung parliament and France’s first minority government since 1993. Amid a government crisis spanning 2023–2024, Macron appointed Gabriel Attal as Prime Minister in 2024. Following disappointing outcomes in the 2024 European Parliament elections, he dissolved the National Assembly and called for snap legislative elections that resulted once more in a hung parliament and setbacks for his coalition. Subsequently, conservative former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier was named Prime Minister; Barnier was ousted by a historic no-confidence vote three months later and succeeded by centrist veteran François Bayrou.

Throughout his presidency, Macron has overseen reforms affecting labour regulations, taxation policies, and pension systems while promoting renewable energy projects. Frequently labeled "president of the rich," his reform agenda ignited significant protests such as the yellow vests movement from 2018 to 2020 and widespread pension strikes. On the international stage, Macron has pursued European Union reforms and signed crucial agreements with Italy and Germany. He facilitated €40 billion worth of trade deals with China amid global trade tensions and managed diplomatic disputes involving Australia and the United States over security agreements. Leading France’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, his administration enacted contentious pension reforms that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 in 2023, sparking extensive strikes and demonstrations. Additionally, Macron maintained military operations against ISIS and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine alongside global partners.

Early life

Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron was born on 21 December 1977 in Amiens. He is the son of Françoise Macron (née Noguès), a medical doctor, and Jean-Michel Macron, a neurology professor at the University of Picardy. The couple separated in 2010. Emmanuel has two siblings: Laurent, born in 1979, and Estelle, born in 1982. The family roots extend to Authie in the Picardy region. One of his paternal great-grandfathers, George William Robertson, was English and originated from Bristol, UK. His maternal grandparents hailed from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Gascony, where he often spent time with his grandmother Germaine, who played a significant role in nurturing his passion for literature and shaping his left-leaning political stance.

Although his upbringing was secular, Macron chose to be baptized Catholic at the age of 12; he currently identifies as agnostic. His given name, Emmanuel, was inspired by the biblical prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.

Macron received most of his education at the Jesuit school Lycée la Providence in Amiens before completing his final year at the prestigious Lycée Henri-IV in Paris, where he achieved a "Bac S, Mention Très bien." He was shortlisted for the "Concours général" in French literature and also earned a piano diploma from the Amiens Conservatory. His parents sent him to Paris largely because of his close relationship with Brigitte Auzière, a married teacher who would later become his spouse.

After two unsuccessful attempts to gain admission to the renowned École normale supérieure, Macron pursued philosophy studies at the University of Paris-Ouest Nanterre La Défense, completing a master's degree with a thesis examining Machiavelli and Hegel. Around 1999, he worked as an editorial assistant to philosopher Paul Ricoeur and joined the editorial team of the literary journal Esprit.

Macron did not undertake mandatory national service due to his ongoing graduate education; being born late in 1977 placed him within the final group required to serve.

He obtained a master's degree in public affairs from Sciences Po, specializing in "Public Guidance and Economy," before enrolling at the selective École nationale d'administration (ENA) for senior civil service training. His studies included placements at the French Embassy in Nigeria and the prefecture of Oise, culminating in graduation in 2004.

Inspector of Finances

Following his ENA graduation in 2004, Macron joined the Inspection générale des finances (IGF), part of France’s Ministry of Finance, working under mentor Jean-Pierre Jouyet. Concurrently, he taught at IPESUP, an elite private institution preparing candidates for competitive exams to top schools such as HEC and Sciences Po.

In 2006, Laurence Parisot proposed that he take on the managing director position at Mouvement des Entreprises de France, France's largest employers' organization; however, he declined this offer.

By August 2007, Macron was appointed deputy rapporteur for Jacques Attali's "Commission to Unleash French Growth". In 2008, he paid €50,000 to terminate his government contract early and moved into a lucrative investment banking role at Rothschild & Cie Banque. He rejoined the Attali Commission as a member in March 2010.

Investment Banker

In September 2008, Macron departed from his position as Inspector of Finances to join Rothschild & Cie Banque, leaving public service following Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential victory. Initially brought on board by François Henrot, his first task was assisting with Cofidis's acquisition by Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe.

Throughout his time at Rothschild, Macron developed a professional connection with businessman Alain Minc, who served on the supervisory board of Le Monde. By 2010, after contributing to the recapitalization of Le Monde and facilitating Atos's purchase of Siemens IT Solutions and Services, he advanced to partner. That same year, he led Nestlé's €9 billion acquisition of Pfizer's infant nutrition division, a transaction that considerably boosted his personal wealth.

In February 2012, Macron provided advisory services to Philippe Tillous-Borde, CEO of the Avril Group. Between December 2010 and May 2012, his reported income totaled €2 million; official figures indicate nearly €3 million earned from 2009 through 2013. He exited Rothschild & Cie in 2012.

Early Political Career

Macron began working with the Citizens' Movement in 1998 for two years without formal membership. While attending Sciences Po, he served as an aide to Mayor Georges Sarre of Paris's 11th arrondissement of Paris. At age 24, he joined the Socialist Party, renewing his membership last between 2006 and 2009.

Introduced to François Hollande by Jean-Pierre Jouyet in 2006, Macron joined Hollande’s team in 2010. In 2007, he attempted to run for a seat in the National Assembly representing Picardy under the Socialist banner but was rejected. Additionally, he declined an offer in 2010 to become deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister François Fillon.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Élysée (2012–2014)

On 15 May 2012, Macron was appointed deputy secretary-general at the Élysée, a senior position within President François Hollande’s administration. He served alongside Nicolas Revel under secretary-general Pierre-René Lemas.

During summer 2012, Macron proposed extending the statutory 35-hour workweek to 37 hours until 2014 and aimed to curb planned tax increases on high earners; however, Hollande dismissed these ideas. In 2013, Macron played a pivotal role opposing legislation to regulate CEO compensation. He also backed a budget responsibility agreement favored by the Medef, which was opposed by Revel.

Macron resigned on 10 June 2014 and was succeeded by Laurence Boone. His exit was attributed to dissatisfaction over being excluded from the first Government of Manuel Valls and feeling sidelined regarding reform initiatives, especially after Jean-Pierre Jouyet assumed chief of staff duties. Jouyet remarked that Macron left to "pursue personal ambitions" and establish his own financial consultancy.

Macron intended to create an investment firm focused on educational ventures. Subsequently, he accepted a research fellowship at the University of Berlin with support from Alain Minc and had also sought an academic post at Harvard University.

Though invited to stand in the 2014 municipal elections in Amiens, Macron declined. This decision contributed to Hollande opposing his appointment as Budget Minister due to Macron’s lack of elected office experience.

Minister of Economics and Industry (2014–2017)

Macron was appointed Minister of Economics and Industry within the second Valls Cabinet on 26 August 2014, succeeding Arnaud Montebourg. At the time, he became the youngest individual to assume this role since Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in 1962. Seen as the "Anti-Montebourg," Macron's pro-European Union and liberal approach sharply contrasted with Montebourg’s eurosceptic and left-wing views.

During his tenure, Macron advocated for reforms favoring businesses, notably advancing a key legislative package through parliament on 17 February 2015 by utilizing the exceptional 49.3 procedure. He also increased the French government's stake in Renault from 15% to 20% and implemented the Florange law, which granted double voting rights to shares held for over two years unless a two-thirds majority of shareholders opposed it. This legislation ensured the state retained a minority stake in Renault, although Macron committed to minimizing governmental influence within the company.

Despite these efforts, Macron was criticized for being unable to prevent the shutdown of an Ecopla plant in Isère. In August 2015, he declared his political independence, formally distancing himself from the Socialist Party.

Macron Law

Initially proposed by Arnaud Montebourg, the legislation evolved into the Loi pour la croissance, l'activité et l'égalité des chances économiques—commonly known as the Macron law. This law introduced measures to relax restrictions on Sunday and nighttime work, deregulate sectors including public transportation coaches, debt collection agencies, barristers, and auctioneers. It also addressed issues such as leasing military equipment from private firms and streamlined administrative processes like obtaining a driving licence. Concerned about potential delays, Prime Minister Manuel Valls invoked the 49.3 procedure to secure its passage through the National Assembly, culminating in its adoption on 10 April 2015.

The law was projected to contribute a modest increase in GDP growth between 0.3% and 0.5%, indicating its moderate economic effect.

Creation of En Marche and government resignation

Macron gained widespread recognition following his appearance on the French television program Des Paroles Et Des Actes in March 2015. Prior to establishing his political movement En Marche!, he delivered several speeches beginning in March 2015 in Val-de-Marne. He opposed proposals to strip terrorists of dual nationality, a stance that generated friction within the Valls administration. Furthermore, Macron engaged in international visits, including one to Israel where he advocated for advancements in digital technology.

Tensions with the Valls government escalated after rejection of his expanded "Macron 2" bill; while certain provisions were incorporated into the El Khomri law, others were dismissed by ministers. Against this backdrop, Macron launched En Marche in Amiens on 6 April 2016 as a social-liberal, progressive initiative that rapidly attracted extensive media attention. This development drew criticism from President Hollande and numerous Socialist Party figures such as Manuel Valls, Michel Sapin, Axelle Lemaire, and Christian Eckert, although some Members of the European Parliament expressed support.

By mid-2016, media endorsement for Macron and En Marche intensified with outlets like L'Express, Les Échos, and L'Opinion backing him. Following controversies linked to union protests, major newspapers featured prominent coverage of Macron, which elicited criticism from both far-left and far-right factions; supporters within the media were dubbed "Macronites."

In May 2016, Orleans mayor Olivier Carré invited Macron to participate in commemorations honoring Joan of Arc’s heritage—a symbolic attempt to reclaim her image from far-right narratives. Amid rumors about his potential exit from government, Macron stated he was "not a socialist." On 30 August 2016, after months of speculation regarding his intentions, Macron resigned to dedicate himself fully to his presidential campaign and leading En Marche. Michel Sapin succeeded him as Minister of Finance. While Hollande accused him of "methodical betrayal," an IFOP poll indicated that 84% of the public approved of his decision to step down.

Initial phase of the presidential campaign

Macron first revealed his presidential intentions through the creation of En Marche and, after stepping down from his government role, dedicated greater effort to the movement. He publicly considered running in April 2016, a fact supported by fundraising trends following his departure as economy minister. In October 2016, he challenged Hollande’s vision of a "normal" presidency, instead promoting a more "Jupiterian" style of leadership.

On 16 November 2016, Macron officially announced his bid for presidency, calling for a "democratic revolution" aimed at "unsticking France." Initially, he had hoped Hollande would stand as the Socialist Party's official candidate. His book Révolution, released in November 2016, climbed to the fifth spot on French bestseller charts by December.

After declaring his candidacy, Macron chose not to take part in the Socialist Party primary despite appeals from Jean-Christophe Cambadélis and Manuel Valls. Cambadélis even threatened disciplinary actions against party members endorsing Macron following Gérard Collomb’s public support.

Economist Sophie Ferracci managed Macron’s campaign finances, which reported €3.7 million in contributions by December 2016—three times the budget of leading candidate Alain Juppé. Concerns were raised about donor transparency and potential conflicts linked to his Rothschild banking background; Macron dismissed these as mere "demagogy." Reports surfaced that €120,000 had been allocated to dinners and meetings during his time at Bercy; opponents accused him of clandestine campaigning using ministerial resources, but his successor Michel Sapin found no wrongdoing. Macron labeled these claims as "defamatory."

The campaign enjoyed significant media attention, with over fifty magazine covers featuring him. His connections with media proprietors such as Le Monde and Claude Perdiel contributed to his image as the "media candidate," a notion reinforced by promotional strategies from former Publicis CEO Maurice Lévy. Media evaluations revealed that BFM TV broadcast more coverage of Macron than all other leading candidates combined, possibly reflecting campaign links to Patrick Drahi via Bernard Mourad.

François Bayrou, once compared to Macron, forged an electoral partnership with him after opting not to run himself. Following legal issues surrounding François Fillon, Macron surpassed him in polls to become the frontrunner.

Macron was criticized for postponing the release of a formal program; although he announced in November that it would be forthcoming, it was only published online as a 150-page document on 2 March 2017 alongside a press event.

He garnered endorsements from notable figures including François Bayrou (Democratic Movement), MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit, ecologist François de Rugy, Socialist MP Richard Ferrand (En Marche secretary-general), and numerous centrists and centre-right politicians. The Grand Mosque of Paris also encouraged French Muslims to vote overwhelmingly in his favor.

On 23 April 2017, Macron led the first round with more than 8 million votes (24%), advancing to face Marine Le Pen in the runoff with support from former candidates François Fillon and Benoît Hamon as well as incumbent president François Hollande.

Second round of the presidential election

Macron garnered endorsements from international figures such as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former US President Barack Obama.

The televised debate on 3 May 2017 between Macron and Le Pen lasted two hours and was broadly regarded as a decisive advantage for Macron. Earlier in March 2017, Mounir Mahjoubi, who managed Macron’s digital campaign, accused Russian state-backed outlets RT and Sputnik News of disseminating misleading content aimed at undermining Macron.

Just two days prior to the 7 May election, an anonymous leak of nine gigabytes of Macron’s campaign emails appeared on Pastebin and rapidly circulated across social media platforms under the hashtag "#macronleaks." En Marche described this incident as a "massive and coordinated hack." Prior warnings had been issued by Japanese cybersecurity company Trend Micro, which identified phishing attempts against En Marche linked to the Russian hacking group Fancy Bear, also responsible for the 2016 Democratic National Committee breach. Subsequently, WikiLeaks published over 21,000 authenticated emails from the leak. This occurred amid Marine Le Pen’s allegations accusing Macron of tax evasion.

On 7 May 2017, Macron secured the presidency with 66.1% of the vote compared to Le Pen’s 33.9%. The election saw a record abstention rate of 25.4%, with an additional 8% of ballots either blank or invalidated. After his triumph, Macron stepped down as head of En Marche and appointed Catherine Barbaroux as interim leader.

First term (2017–2022)

Macron advanced to the runoff following the initial round on 23 April 2017 and achieved a decisive victory in the second round on 7 May 2017, prompting Marine Le Pen from the National Front to concede defeat. At age 39, he became France’s youngest president and the first to be born after the inception of the Fifth Republic in 1958.

He officially took office on 14 May, naming Patrick Strzoda as his chief of staff and Ismaël Emelien as special advisor for strategy and communication. The following day, he appointed Édouard Philippe from The Republicans party as Prime Minister. Macron’s inaugural foreign trip was to Berlin, where he and Chancellor Angela Merkel underscored their commitment to enhancing Franco-German relations and agreed upon a "common road map" for Europe that included potential reforms to EU treaties.

In the legislative elections later in 2017, Macron’s party La République En Marche and its allies achieved a commanding majority by winning 350 out of 577 seats. However, after subsequent Senate elections that year, government spokesperson Christophe Castaner described the results as a "failure" for Macron’s party when The Republicans gained control.

On 3 July 2020, Macron appointed Jean Castex, a centre-right social conservative affiliated with The Republicans, as Prime Minister. This appointment was interpreted as a reinforcement of Macron’s centre-right economic agenda.

Domestic policy

During his initial presidency phase, Macron pursued reforms targeting public ethics, labour regulations, taxation policies, and law enforcement authorities.

Anti-corruption

In response to the Penelopegate scandal, by July 2017 the National Assembly had approved part of Macron’s anti-corruption legislation that prohibited elected representatives from employing family members. The remaining section concerning constituency funds awaited approval from the Senate.

Macron’s initiative to assign his wife an official government position encountered criticism for potential nepotism and concerns about democratic principles. After an online petition gathered nearly 290,000 signatures opposing the plan, he withdrew it. On 9 August, the National Assembly passed the public ethics bill—a key element of Macron’s campaign platform—which included discussions on abolishing constituency funds.

Labour policy and unions

Macron seeks to overhaul the traditional adversarial dynamic between unions and management in France, aiming for a more adaptable, consensus-based approach modeled after systems in Germany and Scandinavia. He has committed to fighting "social dumping," focusing on companies that exploit lower-paid Eastern European workers under the Posted Workers Directive 1996, which permits temporary employment at reduced wages, thereby impacting French employment.

As part of Macron's economic revitalization plan, the government introduced reforms to the French labour code ("Code du Travail"). These measures encountered opposition from certain trade unions; while the major union CFDT engaged in dialogue with Macron's administration, the more radical CGT resisted the reforms. The reform initiative was spearheaded by Labour Minister Muriel Pénicaud.

Following consultations with both unions and employers, the National Assembly and Senate passed legislation enabling the government to ease labour regulations. The changes include capping compensation for unfair dismissal and granting firms enhanced flexibility regarding hiring, termination, and working conditions. On 22 September 2017, Macron enacted five decrees that restructured labour regulations. During this legislative term, unemployment decreased by 1.8%, representing the most significant reduction since 2001.

Migrant crisis

On 16 January 2018, Macron declared he would not permit the establishment of another refugee camp in Paris, outlining policies intended to expedite asylum requests and deportations while enhancing accommodation for refugees.

By 23 June 2018, Macron asserted that Europe was no longer confronting a migration crisis comparable to that of 2015. He characterized the situation as primarily political rather than a surge in migratory flows, highlighting diminished pressure in countries such as Italy.

In November 2019, Macron introduced more stringent immigration measures aimed at curbing refugee inflows and affirmed France’s intention to "take back control" over its immigration policies.

In 2022, new arrivals in France surpassed 320,000 for the first time, with nearly half coming from Africa.

Economic policy

Pierre de Villiers, then-Chief of the General Staff of the Armies, resigned on 19 July 2017 following a dispute with Macron regarding an €850 million reduction in military spending. He reportedly told a parliamentary group, "I will not let myself be fucked like this." François Lecointre was appointed by Macron as his replacement.

Macron’s administration unveiled its inaugural budget on 27 September 2017, aiming to reduce taxes and expenditures in order to comply with EU fiscal deficit requirements. The budget eliminated the wealth tax, replacing it with a real estate tax—fulfilling Macron’s campaign pledge to abolish the wealth tax that had levied up to 1.5% on residents possessing assets above €1.3 million.

In February 2018, Macron launched a voluntary redundancy program targeting reductions within civil service employment.

In December 2019, plans were announced to unify France’s pension system into a single national scheme administered by the state. After extensive protests and disruptions in January 2020, Macron adjusted the proposed retirement age. The pension reform was ratified by decree in February 2020 under Article 49 of the French constitution. However, on 16 March 2020, amid France’s COVID-19 lockdown aimed at curbing the pandemic, Macron suspended implementation of the legislation.

Terrorism

In July 2017, the Senate completed the initial approval of a contentious bill introducing tougher anti-terrorism measures, fulfilling one of Macron’s principal campaign commitments. The National Assembly subsequently passed the legislation on 3 October by a vote of 415 to 127, with Interior Minister Gérard Collomb characterizing France as "still in a state of war" following the stabbing incident in Marseille on 1 October. The Senate gave its second reading approval with a 244–22 vote on 18 October. Macron revealed that since early 2017, authorities had thwarted 13 terrorist plots. This legislation effectively replaced the state of emergency in France, institutionalizing several emergency powers on a permanent basis.

Human rights organizations criticized the law, yet a public poll indicated that 57% supported it despite 62% expressing concerns about infringements on civil liberties.

The statute empowers officials with broader authority to conduct home searches, impose movement restrictions, shut down places of worship, and carry out inspections near train stations as well as international ports and airports. Amendments were introduced to address civil rights issues, with the most severe provisions subject to yearly review and scheduled to expire at the end of 2020. Macron enacted the bill into law on 30 October 2017, officially terminating the state of emergency as of 1 November.

Civil rights

During a visit to Corsica in February 2018, Macron dismissed calls from Corsican nationalists to designate the Corsican language as an official language but offered constitutional acknowledgment of Corsica. He also announced plans to restructure the Islamic faith in France to strengthen laïcité and promote national unity, although he did not disclose specific details of this initiative.

Foreign policy and national defence

Macron’s inaugural NATO summit as president took place at Brussels in 2017, where his handshake with US President Donald Trump attracted media attention for its symbolic display of power relations. On 29 May 2017, Macron met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Versailles, criticizing Russian media for spreading propaganda and calling for joint efforts against ISIS. He issued a warning regarding French military action should chemical weapons be employed in Syria and later authorized French involvement in coordinated airstrikes following the chemical attack in Douma in 2018.

In August 2017, Macron emphasized combating Islamist terrorism and advocated for international pressure on North Korea amid its missile tests. He expressed support for the Iranian nuclear agreement and condemned Venezuela’s government as authoritarian. At the 56th Munich Security Conference in February 2020, he presented a vision spanning ten years aimed at strengthening the EU through increased budgetary resources, integrated markets, defense policy development, dialogue with Russia, and reduced dependence on NATO.

Ahead of the 2019 G7 summit held in Biarritz, Macron welcomed Putin at Fort de Brégançon, reaffirming Russia’s role within Europe. During the summit, he engaged Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in discussions aimed at reducing tensions concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

In March 2019, amid escalating US-China trade disputes, Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed trade agreements valued at €40 billion ($45 billion), including a €30 billion order for Airbus aircraft. These agreements covered sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, financial cooperation involving BNP Paribas and Bank of China, factory modernization, and shipbuilding.

By July 2020, Macron called for EU sanctions against Turkey due to violations of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty and criticized Turkey’s military actions in Libya. He underscored that Turkey was held to higher standards as a NATO member compared to Russia.

In 2021, Macron generated controversy by suggesting that Northern Ireland was not fully part of the UK amid disputes over the Northern Ireland protocol; he later clarified that his comments referred to Northern Ireland’s geographical separation by the Irish Sea.

Relations between France and the US deteriorated in September 2021 after Australia canceled a submarine contract with France following the US-led AUKUS agreement providing nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. France responded by recalling its ambassadors from both Australia and Washington—the first such recall directed at the US—leading to high-level discussions between Macron and US President Joe Biden that helped ease tensions.

On 26 November 2021, Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi signed the Quirinal Treaty, designed to harmonize French-Italian policies across European affairs, security, migration, economic matters, education, research initiatives, culture, and cross-border collaboration.

In early 2022, during rising tensions before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Macron engaged directly with Putin through meetings and telephone conversations. Even after hostilities commenced, he urged European leaders to continue dialogue with Russia to avoid further escalation.

Approval ratings

An IFOP survey conducted for Le Journal du Dimanche showed that Macron started his presidency with a 62% approval rate, which increased to 64% by 24 June. Nevertheless, within a month, his approval rating experienced a 10-point drop—the most significant early-term decrease since Jacques Chirac in 1995—and by August, it had declined by 24 points compared to June. This downturn was associated with disputes involving former Chief of Defence Staff Pierre de Villiers, the state takeover of the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard from the bankrupt STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, and cuts to housing benefits.

By September 2017, 70% of those surveyed felt Macron was fulfilling his campaign commitments, although a majority considered government measures to be "unjust." His popularity sharply diminished again in 2018, falling to around 25% by November amidst the yellow vests movement. During the COVID-19 pandemic in France, his approval rating increased, reaching a peak of 50% in July 2020.

Benalla affair

On 18 July 2018, Le Monde disclosed that Alexandre Benalla, an aide to Macron, impersonated a police officer and assaulted a protester during May Day demonstrations in Paris. He received a 15-day suspension and an internal demotion; however, the Élysée Palace did not report the incident to the public prosecutor. A preliminary inquiry was initiated only after the article's release. The mild punishment sparked concerns about whether the executive branch intentionally failed to inform the prosecutor as legally required.

2022 presidential campaign

In the 2022 election, Macron became the first sitting president to win re-election since Jacques Chirac in 2002. He defeated Marine Le Pen once more, securing 58.55% of votes against her 41.45%. Despite this, record-low voter turnout meant these figures represented only 38.52% of registered voters—the lowest since Georges Pompidou's 37.5% in 1969. The far-right achieved its strongest showing since the Republic's inception, with nationalist candidates (Le Pen, Eric Zemmour, and Nicolas Dupont-Aignan) collectively earning 32.3% in the first round and Le Pen reaching a historic 41.5% in the runoff.

Second term (2022–present)

Macron commenced his second presidential term on 14 May 2022, following his inauguration on 7 May.

Borne government

Prime Minister Jean Castex resigned on 16 May 2022 after serving for 22 months. President Macron appointed Élisabeth Borne as France’s second female prime minister. She established her new cabinet on 20 May 2022.

2022 legislative election

One month into his second term, during the June 2022 legislative elections, Macron lost his parliamentary majority, resulting in a hung parliament. His coalition had previously commanded a majority of 115 seats but secured only 251 seats—falling short by 38 seats for an absolute majority. Prominent allies such as National Assembly President Richard Ferrand, LREM leader Christophe Castaner, and MoDem group leader Patrick Mignola were defeated, weakening Macron’s hold over parliamentary leadership.

Following the election, three ministers resigned after losing their seats: Justine Bénin (junior minister for the Sea), Brigitte Bourguignon (Health and Prevention), and Amélie de Montchalin (Ecological Transition).

Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne continued to lead a reshuffled government in July 2022, operating as a minority administration after unsuccessful negotiations with opposition parties failed to produce a stable majority.

Domestic affairs

Macron's second presidential term commenced amid several political disputes, including allegations of sexual assault against Damien Abad, the newly appointed Minister for Solidarity, as well as criticism regarding the management of the disorder during the 2022 UEFA Champions League final at Stade de France.

Although Macron's administration lacked a parliamentary majority following the 2022 elections, it succeeded in passing legislation aimed at mitigating the cost-of-living crisis, repealing the COVID-era "state of health emergency," and promoting the resurgence of France's nuclear energy industry. Nevertheless, numerous government initiatives were rejected by the National Assembly, prompting Prime Minister Borne’s cabinet to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution ten times by the close of 2022 to secure approval for the 2023 Government and Social Security Budgets.

In May 2024, New Caledonia experienced protests and riots. Macron traveled to the territory on 22 May amid growing demands for France to reconsider recent electoral reforms.

Pension reform

In March 2023, the government enacted legislation raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, partially circumventing parliamentary debate by using Article 49.3 to overcome opposition. This move intensified nationwide demonstrations after the reform was adopted without a complete parliamentary vote.

Votes of no-confidence in the Borne government

On 20 March 2023, Prime Minister Borne’s administration narrowly avoided defeat in a cross-party no-confidence motion by a margin of only nine votes—the closest since 1992. Later, on 12 June 2023, the government withstood its seventeenth no-confidence attempt since the start of the 16th legislature; a motion proposed by the left-wing NUPES coalition fell short by 50 votes.

Nahel Merzouk riots

During early summer 2023, France confronted widespread unrest triggered by the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel M. To contain disturbances reminiscent of those in 2005, Macron’s government deployed approximately 45,000 law enforcement officers and issued directives for stricter judicial measures and expedited legal processes. This response resulted in over 1,300 arrests on the fourth night alone and surpassed 2,000 arrests by early July.

2023 government reshuffle

On 20 July 2023, following a period dubbed the "hundred days of appeasement and action" after pension reform protests, Macron initiated a cabinet reshuffle. This included dismissals such as those of Pap Ndiaye and Marlène Schiappa.

Defence policy

On 1 August 2023, Macron ratified a multi-year military programming law that raises defense expenditures by 40%, reaching €413 billion between 2024 and 2030, subsequent to parliamentary approval granted on 13 July 2023.

Immigration policy

In February 2023, Macron’s administration introduced an immigration and asylum reform bill designed to eliminate deportation protections, accelerate asylum application processing, and simplify legalization procedures for undocumented workers. Due to parliamentary resistance, this draft was withdrawn with intentions to renegotiate terms with the centre-right party The Republicans before reintroducing it in autumn.

In August 2023, Macron declared in Le Point that France must "significantly reduce immigration, beginning with illegal immigration," citing unsustainable current circumstances.

On 11 December 2023, Macron’s principal immigration bill suffered an unexpected defeat in the National Assembly after a preliminary dismissal motion narrowly passed. This setback precipitated a significant political crisis for Macron’s minority government.

To rescue the reform, the government referred the bill to a joint parliamentary committee which brokered an agreement with the conservative-controlled Senate on a stricter version. Parliament approved this legislation on 19 December 2023 with backing from conservative The Republicans and far-right National Rally factions despite considerable dissent within Macron’s own coalition and ministerial ranks. Shortly thereafter, Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau resigned after six months in office due to controversy surrounding the law.

Constitutional reform

Marking the 65th anniversary of the French Constitution on 4 October 2023, President Macron unveiled proposals for constitutional changes. These included broadening and simplifying the procedures for referendums, constitutionally safeguarding abortion rights and environmental protection, strengthening territorial decentralization, and granting enhanced political self-governance to Corsica and New Caledonia.

Subsequently, on 4 March 2024, a joint parliamentary session ratified a constitutional amendment championed by Macron to enshrine abortion as a 'guaranteed freedom.' This marked the first constitutional revision since 2008 and represented Macron's inaugural amendment since his presidency began in 2017.

Attal government

In January 2024, amid the government turmoil sparked by a contentious immigration bill, Macron requested Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s resignation and appointed Education Minister Gabriel Attal as her replacement. Attal made history as France’s youngest prime minister and the first openly gay individual to hold the office.

The cabinet formed under Attal on 11 January 2024 is regarded as the most right-leaning administration during Macron’s tenure. Notably, 57% of its 14 ministers previously belonged to the conservative UMP/LR, while several ministers with leftist affiliations from Borne’s cabinet were dismissed, signaling a decisive ideological shift toward the right.

Economy

Facing decelerating economic growth and underwhelming unemployment data in February 2024, Macron’s administration announced €10 billion in urgent expenditure reductions aimed at achieving its deficit objectives for 2024.

One month later, Macron convened a 'crisis meeting' focused on public finances after disclosures revealed that fiscal targets for 2023 had been significantly missed. The unexpectedly large deficit raised concerns over a potential downgrade of France’s credit rating.

2024 snap legislative election

Following the 2024 European Parliament elections where Macron’s centrist alliance garnered only 14.6% of votes—trailing Le Pen’s RN party by nearly 17 percentage points—he dissolved the National Assembly on 9 June 2024 and called for early legislative elections set for 30 June and 7 July 2024.

In the initial round on 30 June, Macron’s coalition achieved just 20.04% of the national vote, placing third behind the far-right RN with 33.15% and the left-wing NFP alliance with 27.99%. This represented the poorest performance by a governing coalition since 1870. Exit polls suggested that the RN-led bloc was likely to secure either a plurality or an outright majority in the runoff, while Macron’s coalition risked losing at least half its parliamentary seats.

The runoff on 7 July produced another hung parliament: although the left-wing coalition won a plurality, it remained approximately 90–100 seats short of an absolute majority, preventing it from forming a government independently. Macron’s group lost 86 seats and ceded its position as the largest parliamentary bloc; meanwhile, despite falling short of expectations, the RN-led alliance made significant gains to become the largest single party. These outcomes heightened concerns about potential political deadlock and instability.

Following these developments, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal tendered his resignation; however, Macron requested he remain in office until a new government could be established.

On 27 August, Macron declined to appoint NFP-designate Lucie Castets as prime minister.

After consultations with leaders across parliamentary factions to identify a viable majority, Macron appointed conservative Michel Barnier as Prime Minister on 5 September, tasking him with forming a "unity government." Barnier’s selection reflected Le Pen’s increasing influence, particularly as she had previously obstructed another conservative candidate, Xavier Bertrand, from assuming the premiership.

No-confidence motion against the Barnier administration

In December 2024, Prime Minister Michel Barnier utilized Article 49.3 to enforce the 2025 Social Security budget without obtaining parliamentary consent. This action triggered a no-confidence motion on 4 December, resulting in the government's dismissal—the first parliamentary removal of a government since 1962. Barnier subsequently resigned, while President Macron vowed to complete his term, attributing the government's downfall to a coalition of the "extreme left and extreme right."

International relations

On 16 June 2022, Macron traveled to Ukraine alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, where they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to demonstrate "European Unity." He criticized countries maintaining neutrality in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, accusing them of enabling a resurgence of imperialism.

In September 2022, Macron openly criticized the United States, Norway, and other natural gas exporters for elevated energy prices, underscoring disparities in European energy costs. He participated in Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in 2022 and attended King Charles III's coronation in 2023.

Macron was the first foreign dignitary to meet Italy’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on 23 October 2022.

At a 2023 summit held in China with Ursula von der Leyen and Xi Jinping, Macron championed Europe's strategic independence—advocating for reduced reliance on the United States and strengthening European defense manufacturing—envisioning Europe as a potential third global power. A later pan-European think tank report revealed widespread endorsement of his position.

In February 2023, Macron welcomed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Paris to mend tense Franco-Ethiopian relations amid ongoing conflict in Tigray.

During the GLOBSEC forum in Bratislava on 31 May 2023, Macron reiterated his call for European sovereignty. He proposed prioritizing dialogue with Vladimir Putin over pursuing war crimes prosecutions, a viewpoint that sparked considerable debate.

By June 2023, Macron committed to augmenting military support for Ukraine during its counteroffensive against Russian-held territories, including authorizing delivery of Scalp long-range cruise missiles announced at the NATO Vilnius Summit. In November 2023, he described Russia’s conduct as "imperialism and colonialism," emphasizing France’s responsibility to aid Ukraine while signaling openness to future peace talks.

In June 2023, Macron hosted an international climate finance conference focused on reforming global economic strategies addressing climate change and hunger. He advocated for global taxation measures and debt relief targeting low-income nations but faced criticism for endorsing projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Macron deferred a scheduled state visit to Germany in July 2023 due to domestic unrest.

In October 2023, Macron condemned Hamas's actions amid the Gaza conflict and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense while urging an immediate ceasefire and cessation of civilian bombings. In July 2025, he declared France’s intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the forthcoming UN General Assembly.

Early in 2024, Macron provoked controversy by proposing deployment of ground troops to Ukraine. By May, he authorized Ukraine’s use of SCALP EG missiles targeting Russian military assets. In February 2025, following discussions with President Trump, he suggested that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia might be forthcoming.

In February 2025, Macron characterized Russia as an "existential threat" to Europe and convened a Weimar+ meeting aimed at coordinating collective responses. He welcomed Germany’s subsequent decision to significantly increase defense expenditures.

After Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in June 2025, Macron called for restraint while reaffirming Israel’s security rights. He asserted that former President Trump left the G7 summit intending to mediate an Israel-Iran ceasefire; Trump denied this claim. Subsequently, Macron condemned US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as unlawful and urged renewed diplomatic engagement with Iran.

Uber Files

On 10 July 2022, The Guardian disclosed that during his time as Minister of Economics and Industry, Macron had aided Uber in its lobbying initiatives. This revelation triggered demands from opposition parliamentarians for an official inquiry. Macron responded by asserting that he had fulfilled his duties and would do so again, expressing pride in backing Uber's lobbying activities.

Co-prince of Andorra

In his capacity as President of France, Macron automatically holds the position of one of the two co-princes of Andorra. His chief of staff, Patrick Strzoda, acts as his delegate in this capacity. Following the conclusion of Joan Enric Vives i Sicília’s term as Episcopal Co-Prince in 2025, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat took over the role. On 15 June 2017, Macron ratified the Constitution of Andorra via Strzoda at Casa de la Vall. He visited Andorra officially on 12 September 2019, where he addressed the General Council alongside local authorities.

During the COVID-19 crisis, when Andorra sought financial assistance from France, Macron declined the request, citing legal constraints preventing the Bank of France from issuing loans without authorization from the European Central Bank.

In January 2024, former New Caledonian high commissioner Patrice Faure was appointed as Macron’s chief of staff and subsequently named his personal representative to Andorra in November.

Personal life

Macron is married to Brigitte Trogneux, who was his high school teacher in Amiens and is approximately 25 years older than him. Their acquaintance began during a theatre workshop when he was 15 and she was 39. Despite initial parental resistance due to their age gap, their romantic relationship developed later. They reconnected after Macron completed his studies and wed in 2007. Brigitte has three children from a previous marriage; Macron does not have children. She was instrumental in his 2017 presidential campaign, aiding him in honing skills such as public speaking.

Businessman Henry Hermand served as Macron’s best man; he provided a €550,000 loan for Macron’s first apartment in Paris and offered office space for the En Marche movement on Avenue des Champs Élysées.

Macron’s voting record includes backing souverainist Jean-Pierre Chevènement in 2002, supporting Ségolène Royal in 2007, and endorsing François Hollande during the Socialist Party primary in 2011.

He studied piano for a decade with a preference for composers like Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt. Macron also enjoys skiing, tennis, boxing, and is fluent in English.

In August 2017, a photojournalist was detained after accessing Macron’s private vacation home; although Macron initially filed a harassment complaint, he later withdrew it to promote reconciliation.

On 27 August 2017, the Macrons welcomed Nemo, a black Labrador Retriever-Griffon mix who now lives with them at the Élysée Palace. Raised Catholic during his school years but identifying as an agnostic Catholic before meeting Pope Francis in 2018, Macron became an honorary canon of St John Lateran cathedral that same year.

A devoted football enthusiast supporting French club Olympique de Marseille, Macron attended the 2018 World Cup semi-final between France and Belgium along with Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. At the final against Croatia, he celebrated alongside Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, garnering notable media attention for their interactions during the event.

National honours

Ribbon bar	Title	Date and notes
	Grand Master and Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour	14 May 2017 – conferred automatically upon assuming the presidency
	Grand Master and Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit	14 May 2017 – granted by virtue of presidential inauguration

Foreign honours

Ribbon bar	Nation	Title	Date awarded
	United Kingdom	Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire	5 June 2014
	Template:Country data Mexico	Sash of the Order of the Aztec Eagle	22 September 2016
	Greece	Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer	7 September 2017
	Template:Country data Lebanon	Grand Cross of the Order of Merit	22 September 2017
	Template:Country data Tunisia	Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic	31 January 2018
	Template:Country data Senegal	Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion	2 February 2018
	Luxembourg	Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau	19 March 2018
	Denmark	Knight of the Order of the Elephant	28 August 2018
	Finland	Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose	29 August 2018
	South Korea	Recipient of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa	8 October 2018
	Belgium	Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold	19 November 2018
	Template:Country data Ivory Coast	Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast	20 December 2019
	Egypt	Collar of the Order of the Nile	7 December 2020
	United States	Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit	8 December 2020
	Italy	Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic	1 July 2021
	Template:Country data United Arab Emirates	Collar of the Order of Zayed	18 July 2022

Prizes

• Le Trombinoscope (2014, 2016)
• Charlemagne Prize (2018)
• (Champion) Champion of the Earth (2018)
• (2024)

Further reading

• Chamorel, Patrick. "Macron Confronts the Yellow Vests". Journal of Democracy 30.4 (2019): 48–62.
• Chopin, Thierry. "Emmanuel Macron, France and Europe: 'France Returns to Europe'—Under What Conditions?". (Fondation Robert Schuman, 2018).
• Chopin, Thierry, and Samuel BH Faure. "The 2022 Presidential Election: A Clash in Europe Between a 'Liberal' and a 'Neo-Nationalist' France". Intereconomics 2021.2 (2021): 75–81.
• Cole, Alistair. Emmanuel Macron and the Transformative Two Years in France. (Manchester University Press, 2020).
• Elgie, Robert. "Electing Emmanuel Macron and the Evolution of the French Party System: A Return to the Eternal Marsh?". Modern & Contemporary France 26.1 (2018): 15–29.
• Hewlett, Nick. "The Illusory Revolution: The 2017 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections". Modern & Contemporary France 25.4 (2017): 377–390.
• Kutsenko, Andrii. "Emmanuel Macron and Current Franco-Russian Relations". Political Science and Security Studies Journal 1.1 (2020): 94–100.
• Mayaffre, Damon. Macron or the Enigma of Speech: His Discourses Analyzed by Machine. Les éditions de l'Aube, 2021.
• Nougayrède, Natalie. "France’s Strategic Move: Macron Steps Forward as America Withdraws". Foreign Affairs 96 (2017): 2+
• Pedder, Sophie. Revolution Française: Emmanuel Macron’s Effort to Redefine a Nation (Bloomsbury, 2018).
• Perottino, Michel, and Guasti, Petra. "Technocratic Populism in France? Exploring the Origins and Dynamics Behind Emmanuel Macron's Rise". Politics and Governance 8.4 (2020): 545–555.
• Tiersky, Ronald. "Inside Macron’s World: How France’s New Leader Is Reshaping the Nation". Foreign Affairs. 97 (2018): 87+.

External links

• Orbiting Jupiter: My Week with Emmanuel Macron – Article by The Guardian analyzing Macron's political influence