August 21, 2017•Update: August 21, 2017
By Hajer M'tiri
PARIS
The Elysee on Monday published a "charter of transparency" that frames the status of Brigitte Macron, wife of French leader Emmanuel Macron, her role and financing.
According to the charter, Brigitte Macron will have an official role representing France but would not be paid or have her own budget or staff.
During his election campaign earlier this year, Emmanuel Macron expressed his intention to institutionalize the role the president's wife but a petition against the status collected more than 300,000 signatures in three weeks.
According to the Elysee, Brigitte Macron would "represent France at her husband's side during international summits and meetings" and would also organize meetings at the Elysee Palace.
Her work would involve supporting charities and meeting regularly with representatives from organizations working on education, disabilities, health and child protection.
The proposed charter clarifies the ambiguity that persists around the role of the French "first lady" since the beginning of the Fifth Republic. No text has ever specified the rights or responsibilities of such a position.
In an interview published in French magazine Elle last week, Brigitte Macron reportedly said: "I do not feel like a first lady. It is the translation of an American expression, a periphrasis in which nothing pleases me.”
