Emmanuel Macron – The first French President to be re-elected and take up a second term in 20 years

In 2017, Mr Emmanuel Macron surpassed Mrs. Le Pen to become the youngest President in French history at the age of 39. Mr. Macron is French President was re-elected for the first time and served a second term after 20 years. This is another shining mark in the political career of the relatively young leader and shows the confidence of French voters that he is the most suitable person to lead the country, but in front of him. Ownership of the Elysee Palace is more challenging than ever.

President Emmanuel Macron stands in front of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France – AP Photo

From a high school play to a French president who loves Vietnamese food

It was 1993. His arms stretched wide, his ten fingers clenched, his face shining in the spotlight. Emmanuel Macron is just 15 years old in a cassette tape of his play in a school play. He enjoyed every second of being the center of attention of hundreds of pairs of eyes, before delivering his lines. The play is called “The Language of Comedy”, a product of the drama class at La Providence Jesuit High School, Amiens city, Northern France. This is not only the place where Macron exudes confidence in the crowd, which is a must for a future president, but also where he meets his future wife, Brigitte Trogneux, an acting teacher. 24 years older than him, and is also the director of the play above.

“I remember that play very well. His stage performance was amazing.”Ms. Trogneux shared in the documentary about Macron when he was elected President for the first time.

Mr. Macron during his school days – Photo: France 24

At the age of 17, before leaving his hometown of Amiens to study in magnificent Paris, Macron told his drama teacher that one day he would marry her. In 2007, 14 years after they met, Macron and Trogneux got married, overcoming barriers of social prejudice. For Macron, not only love reigns, but what is needed is determination above all else to achieve what you desire, to fully fulfill your own wishes.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Trogneux – Photo: AP

The young man from Amiens brought that determination with him into his political career, along with an excellent academic background. In addition to graduating from the National School of Administration – majoring in financial inspection, Mr. Macron also studied philosophy at the Paris-Quest University Nanterre La Defense, along with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. His academic background helped him assume the role of economic adviser under President Francois Hollande, before being appointed Economy Minister in 2014.

In 2016, he resigned as Minister to run for the Elysee Palace. He won the hearts of French voters by promising reforms to the welfare system, pensions, corporate tax cuts, local land tax cuts, promoting the EU and calling on France to use the interests of the world. rather than anti-immigrant. In the 2017 election campaign, he won 66% of the vote, surpassing Marine Le Pen to become the youngest President in French history at the age of 39. He is also the first French President to have never been. through the army.

Mr. Macron’s photographer regularly posts behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram – Photo: Instagram Soazig de la Moissonnière

President Macron is currently 44 years old, and according to the Financial Times, he is still as energetic as before he became President, full of ideas and ambitions. Mr. Macron wants to heal a divided France, restore France and Europe’s position as the economic, cultural and strategic center of the world.

Few people know that Mr. Macron and his wife are very passionate about Vietnamese cuisine. A Belgian television program found out at the time the French President took office that he maintained the habit of eating Vietnamese food every Wednesday of the week for many years. President Macron’s passion for Vietnamese cuisine came in 1998 when he traveled to Vietnam when he was a student. The French President loves shrimp salad, and Mrs. Trogneux loves fried spring rolls.

Challenges await President Macron in the new term

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called Macron’s 58.6% vote a victory for the opposition. That’s because, the number of votes in favor of the 44-year-old president has plummeted. In 2017, Mr. Macron became President with 66% of the vote. France under the youngest President in history has appeared deeply divided with the influence of many events such as the “yellow vest” protest movement, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Euronews has pointed out five challenges that the French President needs to overcome in his new term.

French President Emmanuel Macron meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on February 7, 2022 – Photo: Sputnik

1. President Macron needs to gain a majority of support in the National Assembly

Next June will take place the National Assembly elections in France. In 2017, Mr. Macron’s opposition fell apart after losing the presidential election. The election went very smoothly for the French President during that period, but at the moment things are much more unpredictable. The leader of the left, Jean-Luc Melenchon – who finished third in the first round of the presidential election – is aiming for the prime minister’s seat. However, like the presidential election, the parliamentary elections in France are also divided into two rounds and will give President Macron many opportunities to garner support. In addition, Ms. Le Pen’s right wing is also appearing divided.

2. The French president is lacking support in the National Assembly

Mr. Macron’s victory over Le Pen this year also came from votes against the far-right candidate, meaning voters wanted to prevent Le Pen from getting close to the presidency rather than actually supporting Mr. Macron. French politics is split into three blocs: Mr Macron’s pro-EU bloc, Ms Le Pen’s nationalist bloc and Mr Melenchon’s leftist bloc. Each bloc receives more than one-third of the support, and a government with two-thirds of the opposition in Parliament is unlikely to run smoothly.

3. Changing France’s Climate Policy

While campaigning in Marseille, President Macron vowed to “rebuild” the climate policy that France is pursuing. However, environmental campaigners have questioned Mr Macron’s goals, when environmental issues were not mentioned by both Mr and Mrs Le Pen during a televised debate before the second round of the election. last election.

4. Ambition to reform EU

Focusing on Europe has been one of Mr. Macron’s main messages since he was elected president in 2017. The French president wants to change the visa policy for travel between EU countries, a single tax rate. within the bloc, develop technology and strengthen defense capabilities among countries in the military context. Towards an “enthusiastic and strategic” Europe, this is a program that is considered ambitious but will face many challenges from the EU countries themselves.

French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on February 8, 2022 – Photo: AP

5. Ukraine problem

President Macron supports EU sanctions against Russia but has not yet banned the import of oil from Russia. The French president is still in regular dialogue with Moscow. Being both hard and soft on the Russia-Ukraine issue can create disagreements towards the French President both at home and abroad.

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