Thousands sign petition seeking to halt Brigitte Macron from official 'first lady' status
Record ID:
905563
Thousands sign petition seeking to halt Brigitte Macron from official 'first lady' status
- Title: Thousands sign petition seeking to halt Brigitte Macron from official 'first lady' status
- Date: 7th August 2017
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 7, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) 22-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, MARION, SAYING: "I think the first lady has her role here, in the sense that it's also a good thing that it's not just the president who is represented, the first lady also has a role to play and it's important to have the title." (SOUNDBITE) (French) 38-YEAR-OLD ASSET MANAGEMENT ADVISOR, HASSAN, SAYING: "I think she does have a role and certain responsibilities, but does this need to be official? That's hard to say honestly, I haven't really thought about it so I wouldn't really know how to give a clear-cut opinion."
- Embargoed: 21st August 2017 13:58
- Keywords: France Emmanuel Macron Brigitte Macron first lady petition Thierry Paul Valette
- Location: PARIS & LE TOUQUET, FRANCE
- City: PARIS & LE TOUQUET, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0066T5R3NR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Over 200,000 people by Monday (August 7) had signed an online petition against French President Emmanuel Macron's plans to make the role of first lady Brigitte Macron official, a move which would entitle her to staff and an allowance from public money.
Though France has never possessed a formal title for the first lady like in the United States, Macron had said during his campaign that he would propose a formal, albeit unremunerated, role for his wife, one which she would help define.
Launched two weeks ago on the website change.org, the petition calls for the creation of a first Lady status to be halted at the National Assembly and that not a cent of public funds go to Brigitte.
Brigitte, 64, was once 39-year-old Macron's high school teacher and was constantly by his side during his campaign, managing his agenda, editing his speeches and advising him on his stage presence. The couple married in 2007. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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