Emmanuel Macron is a 45-year-old French politician and the current President of France. He was born on December 21, 1977, in the city of Amiens and is married to Brigitte Macron, who serves as the nation’s First Lady.
Macron is the 25th president in the history of the country and assumed office on May 14, 2017. He extended his term last year after being re-elected. As a result, he will remain in office for five more years, until 2027.
The man from Amiens defeated Marine Le Pen in the 2022 elections with 58% of the vote—a notable achievement, as it marked the first presidential re-election in France in 20 years.
Macron’s beginnings and his rise to the presidency
Macron entered politics at the age of 24, marking the start of his journey in public service. During his early years, he focused on the economic sector, after some unsuccessful attempts to join the Socialist Party.
François Hollande, who served as President of France from 2012 to 2017, played a crucial role in Macron’s career. They met around 13 years ago, and from that moment on, the man from Amiens became one of Hollande’s close allies and his right-hand man.
The graduate in political science entered Hollande’s administration as his General Secretary—a key moment that launched his ascent in French politics.
From that position, Macron steadily advanced. In 2014, he moved up from General Secretary to become Minister of the Economy. Although the Socialist Party remained in power, Macron often faced criticism, yet he stayed true to his principles.
Between 2015 and 2016, Emmanuel introduced a policy known as the “Macron Law.” The following year, he launched a political movement aimed at unifying France’s fragmented political landscape. This initiative, born in his hometown, reflected his vision of bridging political divides.
The laws, the movement, and their public reception led Macron to officially declare his candidacy for the presidency, prompting his resignation from the Ministry of Economy.
Almost overnight, Macron won both rounds of the 2017 election, becoming the youngest head of state in French history at just 39 years old. He defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the second round.
The young president who shook up Europe
The man from Amiens took the reins of France—and Europe—at a critical moment. With neighboring governments in flux, the young leader who took office in 2017 at age 39 set out to challenge the status quo and transform it for the better.
What does this mean? Macron entered office with a new vision for France and the continent—one that departed from the approaches of previous presidents. His movement, “En Marche!” was a perfect example of this change.
Macron consistently grounded his ideas in the desire for a unified, democratic France and Europe. He rejected inequality, political division, and factionalism.
The French public adapted to his reforms, just as the president had hoped. But not without consequences. Some of Macron’s decisions triggered backlash in certain regions, leading to protests and strikes across the country.
A liberal voice and defender of Europe
Macron presented himself as a liberal, a defender of European sovereignty, and a leader determined to position Europe globally without isolating itself from any government. He leveraged this distinctive message to set himself apart from other candidates.
The challenge for the so-called “inexperienced youth,” as he was once labeled, was to overcome the entrenched powers of the traditional left and right—especially the far-right figure Marine Le Pen.
Ultimately, Emmanuel Macron transitioned from a background in economics and socialist activism, and from being a key ally of Hollande, to becoming the youngest president in French history—with an innovative and forward-looking message that reshaped the country’s political discourse.
He navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and overcame the discomfort and unrest that some of his policies caused.
In his early campaign debates, Macron consistently advocated for a France that could thrive in a globalized world. He emphasized the importance of bilateral relations with neighboring countries and aimed to restore lost ties with others.
Since 2017, six years have passed, and thanks to his re-election in 2022, Macron still has time left in his mandate to continue shaping the future of France.