No ‘first lady’ title for wife of France president, Brigitte Macron after petition over her status

Wife of French's president, Brigitte Macron, will not be given an official “first lady” title or her own budget, announced French government officials following a petition against a proposed change to her status.

The announcement comes after a petition against Ms Macron being given formal First Lady status attracted more than 284,000 signatures.

During the election, Mr Macron had promised to “clarify” his wife’s role to “end the hypocrisy” over the situation as he also promised to make an official position for his wife, a move that turned heads particularly as the government is soon to pass a law preventing MPs from hiring family members as assistants, as part of his own anti-corruption drive.

One of Macron’s first actions after taking power was to set up a working party to examine the “first lady” position.

No 'first lady' title for Brigitte Macron after petition over her status

A “transparency charter” will be published in the next few days to clarify the position of Emmanuel Macron’s wife, but presidential aides insist her role will be strictly public and not political.

The Élysée has made no official announcement, but officials were forced to react after the petition opposed to the president’s spouse having an official title, status and budget was signed by more than 275,000 people in two weeks.

A YouGov poll for the French edition of the Huffington Post in May suggested 68% of the French public was opposed to the head of state’s spouse being given an official role.