Emmanuel, The Majestic

French President Macron is a world-class leader who strives to carve a new political path, straddling both left and right, tradition and innovation, public and private sectors

- Anita Pratap

Ten months after taking over, Emmanuel Macron’s trajectory as president has proven the old saying that France worships revolutionaries, but treats reformers with disdain. Revolution comes with the romance of making the impossible possible. But, reforms involve sacrificing privileges, often, even a way of life, which, of course, the French loathe. An outsider and a virtual political novice, Macron single-handedly smashed the entrenched citadels of power to win not only the presidency, but he also scored a resounding victory in the subsequent parliamentary elections. This was revolution, and everybody loved it. But, Macron’s agenda is reform—the French economy first, and then the European Union. “Modernity is disruptive and I endorse that,” he says. “France has to reform, recover and get more competitive.”

Before launching his reforms, Macron first set the stage. He restored grandeur to the Élysée Palace, which was severely undermined by his predecessors Nicolas Sarkozy and, especially, François Hollande, who is remembered for his scooter ride through the streets of Paris for a rendezvous with his girlfriend. Perhaps, it is the influence of Macron’s wife, Brigitte, his drama teacher from school—there is theatre in Macron’s appearances, be it in Versailles or the Acropolis of Athens. He has likened himself to the Roman God Jupiter and France’s Sun King. Whether it is the choice of objects or the way he positions himself in his official photograph or his entrances at events, there is careful choreography that signals authority and pomp with divine or monarchical overtones. Some approve, but many mock these grandiose tendencies.