- France's first lady is said to have great influence at the Elysée Palace.
- French media speculates that she may be leading a PR campaign to revamp her husband's image.
Ever since he managed to secure a second term at the Elysée Palace in Paris two years ago, Emmanuel Macron's presidency has been anything but smooth sailing.
In the April 2022 election, Macron defeated far-right Marine Le Pen in a run-off, but Macron won more votes than any far-right candidate in French history and won the National Rally (RN). It was heavily criticized because it established itself as a political party. A major figure in French politics.
Macron's second term has since been mired in controversy and public dissatisfaction amid mass strikes, but the RN, now led by Le Pen's handsome young protégé Jordan Bardera, is in contention for June's European elections. The president's Renaissance Party continues to lead by a large margin in public opinion polls.
So, deep within the Elysée Palace, a decision seems to have been made that Mr. Macron needs a bit of a makeover.
Last week, his personal photographer Sausing de la Moissonnière created a stir in France by releasing two photos depicting the French president hitting a punching bag. His face was a picture of steely determination, chiseled biceps rippling beneath his shirt.
The black-and-white photo was hailed as a display of “ultimate masculinity”, according to a French newspaper, and is the latest in a number of images perfectly selected as part of a campaign to dispel Mr Macron's reputation as an intellectual. It was something. He's all talky, recasting him as a Renaissance action man.
France's first lady Brigitte Macron is said to have been the catalyst for her husband's transformative PR campaign.
Brigitte understands the importance of optics.
A whopping 24 years older than her husband (their relationship began when Mr Macron was still a student and she was his teacher), Mrs Macron fends off criticism of Mr Emmanuel's long tenure in politics. I've been spending a lot of time on that.
Bridget is also the subject of vicious conspiracy theories suggesting she is transgender, particularly perpetuated by influential American commentator Candace Owens.
She is now working with a group of trusted advisers, including Bruno Roger-Petit, a longtime media critic and Mr Macron's unofficial right-hand man, to mastermind her husband's political comeback, according to the tell-all book. That's what the expose says. This was reported by the French newspaper Le Monde.
Brigitte is also said to be very close to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, a good-looking 35-year-old who has been described as Macron's “mini-me,” and who, during his mentor's time, is said to have been involved in a presidential shootout in 2027. There is a possibility that he will challenge the younger Mr. Bardera. Your tenure is coming to an end.
Recognizing the appeal of new-age politicians like Mr Attal and Mr Bardera, the Palace says Mr Macron, a straight-laced, wise-cracking 'mansplainer' who has led an unprecedented number of French conservative voters to the RN. is making every effort to dispel its reputation.
Images of Macron released by his personal lenswoman It captures the French leader's looks, confidence and charm as much as his masculinity and physical prowess.
From photos of the president with his shirt unbuttoned to reveal his hairy chest and a triumphant grin as he lounges on a mustard-colored couch, to his already infamous boxing training snaps. eThis photo helps sum up Macron as a person who combines style and substance.
Just two weeks ago, the French president announced the prospect of sending Western ground forces to Ukraine, reversing years of attempts to maintain good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It should not be “excluded”.
In a surprisingly cheeky interview with French media, he also accused Putin of threatening to use nuclear weapons and reminded him that France also has advanced weapons programs.
The rebuttal came days after President Macron returned from a presidential visit to Marseille and personally announced the launch of a major police operation to crack down on drug trafficking.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether French troops will actually set foot in Ukraine, or whether police will make any progress against the deeply entrenched drug gangs that control much of Marseille's suburbs.
Neither prospect is likely to become reality. But Mr. Macron's efforts to promote both initiatives very publicly are likely to help strengthen his position in the eyes of French voters.
French journalist Gaël Chakalov, who wrote an in-depth biography of Macron's marriage, “As long as we're together,'' said a source close to him said Brigitte was “dedicated to her husband's success.” He is said to be closely involved in the president's daily schedule.
She is said to be in constant contact with her husband from the “Madame Wing” at the Elysée Palace, who calls her every 90 minutes to discuss ideas and check in.
With such close ties to her husband and influence with key figures in the palace, Mrs Macron will no doubt be highly valued if Mr Emmanuel and the Renaissance Party regain the support of the French public.
