President Emmanuel Macron

President Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron has been serving as the President of France since May 14, 2017, following a decisive victory in the presidential election against Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front. Macron, who was 39 at the time, became the youngest president in French history. Before his presidency, Macron had a distinguished career as an investment banker at Rothschild & Cie and later served as the Minister of the Economy, Industry, and Digital Affairs under President François Hollande, where he championed several business-friendly reforms.

President Macron’s political journey saw him founding the centrist political movement La République En Marche! in 2016, positioning it as a progressive alternative to the traditional parties. His presidency has been marked by ambitious economic reforms aimed at liberalizing the French economy, such as labor market flexibility and tax cuts intended to boost investment and job creation. He has also pushed for significant social policies, including gender equality initiatives and education reforms.

Re-elected in 2022, Macron continues to advocate for stronger European Union integration and cooperation on global issues like climate change and security. His second term has faced various challenges, including managing the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing social inequalities, often amid public protests. Despite these challenges, Macron remains a prominent figure in French and European politics, driving forward his vision of a reformed and progressive France within a stronger European framework.

There are things about me that many already know

I did the ENA, I was Inspector of Finance, I worked in a business bank, then for François Hollande during the presidential campaign of 2012, and I have been serving him for over two years as Deputy Secretary General of the Elysée. I was Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital, with passion, until the end of August 2016.

So much for the official biography.

But my life is also other things that I think are useful to share with you

I was born in Amiens in 1977. I was raised by my parents, public service doctors both, alongside my brother and my sister. Until her recent disappearance, I was extremely close to my grandmother. She was a college principal. If my political thinking and commitment had only one origin, it would be it.

I did my schooling in my hometown. In high school, I met the one who would become my wife, Brigitte, and who then taught French and theater. When I look back, I can say that I was lucky. I grew up in a wealthy environment. My childhood and adolescence years were synonymous with meetings, readings, discoveries. They prompted me, a little later, during my studies, to go towards philosophy and to assist Paul Ricœur in his work. I still keep reading it today and trying to feed my action with his thoughts, his philosophy and what he taught me.

Finally, there is my family. My base, my refuge. Our children and stepchildren, and our seven grandchildren.

So much for a more intimate biography.