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TEHRAN, August 22 - French President Emmanuel Macron is back from summer vacation and he plans to launch a new push for economic changes as he faces growing criticism at home.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - The 40-year-old leader holds a Cabinet meeting Wednesday at the Elysee presidential palace.
Macron hopes his break will help give his policies new impetus after a nightmare political scenario in July. His government survived two no-confidence votes last month following a scandal over a top Macron security aide, Alexandre Benalla, identified in a video as acting violently toward a protester while wearing police equipment.
While the centrist leader promised transparency and an exemplary government before his election, the scandal has raised questions about his team's working methods and actions.
Benalla, who initially stayed in his job before a public uproar led to his dismissal, has since faced initial charges, including committing violent acts and impersonating a police officer.
The latest public opinion polls at the end of July have seen Macron's popularity rate at its lowest level since he was elected in May 2017.
Opponents commonly describe Macron as "Jupiter," the Roman king of gods, or "Napoleon" —in a reference to his authoritarian style and tendency to use special powers to pass some key measures without a parliamentary debate. In addition, critics often portray him as the "president of the rich," for tax cuts for the wealthy.
Similar comments have been recently revived by his request to build a 34,000-euro ($39,200) swimming pool in the presidential summer residence on the French Riviera.
The French leader took 15 days of vacation, reading books and enjoying the view of turquoise waters. He made only a few public appearances.
He invited British Prime Minister Theresa May for dinner, with Brexit discussions on the agenda. He also had phone calls with several world leaders, including President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
An official at the French presidency said Macron's international agenda in the coming weeks will focus on showing a united European front in Brexit negotiations.
Macron seeks to strengthen ties between pro-European governments, seen as opposed to rising populism in the European Union. He's notably planning to visit Denmark and Finland at the end of the month and meet with Merkel in early September. The official spoke on customary condition of anonymity.
Macron is likely to face a tough task in domestic politics. The government is preparing the country's budget for next year as the economic growth forecast is lower than previously expected at an estimated 1.8 percent, compared with 2.2 percent last year.
Source: AP
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