Who is the French President Emmanuel Macron?
Emmanuel Macron is politically centrist, former investment banker who has now been elected as France's president. Macron has previously never been elected before and at age 39, has become France's youngest leader since Napoleon. He is the first to come from outside the two traditional mainstream parties since the country became a modern republic in 1958. Here's everything you need to know about Macron.
French elections 2017: Macron secures decisive victory over Le Pen
As results came in on France's nail biting Presidential race, centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron emerged winner in round two, securing a decisive victory over his far right opponent Marine Le Pen, gathering 65.8% votes, becoming France's youngest President. Speaking to a crowd of supporters at the Louvre, Macron promised to fight divisive forces in France, guarantee its unity and to defend and protect Europe.
Early life
Macron, the son of two doctors, was born on December 21, 1977. He is a prize-winning pianist and has a masters in philosophy. He later studied at l'ENA, an elite university which has produced a number of prominent civil servants and political leaders.
Macron's former employer said he had "stuff of presidents"
Macron served as deputy rapporteur for the commission to improve French growth, a prominent position in the French treasury. He worked under Jacques Attali, a former presidential adviser, who said Macron had "stuff of presidents." In 2008, he moved away from civil service and joined Rothschild bank, where he advanced rapidly and helped seal a multi-billion dollar deal between Nestlé and Pfizer.
Hollande made Macron economy minister in 2014
Macron later joined former French President Francois Hollande at the Elysée Palace whom he advised on economic reform while serving as a pro-business secretary general. He was dubbed the "Mozart of the Elysée" by the French press. In 2014, Hollande made Macron economy minister. He promoted a package of measures, including opening up regulated sectors of the economy. His decisions were met with protests.
Macron quit as economy minister last year, started own party
In 2016, Macron quit as economy minister and formed his own political party, En Marche (translates to In Motion). "I've seen the emptiness of our political system from the inside ... I reject this system," he said recently, while calling for a "democratic revolution."
Macron a fervent supporter of the EU
Macron appears to be politically centrist. He insists he's "neither of the Left or the Right" but "for France." Macron is essentially a pro-business reformist who takes a leftist stance on social issues such as the freedom to practice religion and immigration. He is a fervent supporter of the EU having a business-friendly idea of European integration.
Sorry ladies… He's taken
Macron is married to Brigitte, a divorcee and chocolate maker heiress who is 24 years elder to him. Macron's parents didn't approve of their marriage, which took place in 2007. Brigitte has three children from her first marriage and seven grandchildren.
