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| | Macron was a member of the French Socialist Party (''Parti Socialiste'') in the past, in 2016 he founded the party [[En Marche!]] a leftist [[Liberalism|liberal]] party which supports, or is at least friendly towards, a federal [[European Union]], anti-[[Israel]] policies, and mass-immigration policies which continue after five years by President [[François Hollande|Hollande]].<ref>http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2017/article/2017/01/24/emmanuel-macron-faire-de-la-destitution-d-assad-un-prealable-a-tout-a-ete-une-erreur_5067903_4854003.html</ref> | | Macron was a member of the French Socialist Party (''Parti Socialiste'') in the past, in 2016 he founded the party [[En Marche!]] a leftist [[Liberalism|liberal]] party which supports, or is at least friendly towards, a federal [[European Union]], anti-[[Israel]] policies, and mass-immigration policies which continue after five years by President [[François Hollande|Hollande]].<ref>http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2017/article/2017/01/24/emmanuel-macron-faire-de-la-destitution-d-assad-un-prealable-a-tout-a-ete-une-erreur_5067903_4854003.html</ref> |
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| − | Former [[United States]] President [[Barack Obama]] spoke with Macron, indicating his support for the candidate in the 2017 French presidential election.<ref>Starr, Penny (April 22, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/22/obama-gently-waded-back-politics-speaks-phone-left-leaning-presidential-candidate-macron/ Obama ‘Gently Waded’ Back into Politics: Spoke on Phone with Left-Leaning Presidential Candidate Macron]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref> After the first round, Obama explicitly endorsed Macron's candidacy.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/04/obama-endorses-macron-in-french-presidential-race.html Obama endorses Macron in French presidential race]. ''Fox News''. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.</ref> By contrast, incumbent U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] called his opponent, the [[euroskeptic]] [[Marine Le Pen]], the strongest of the presidential candidates, particularly on borders and security;<ref>Multiple references: | + | Former [[United States]] President [[Barack Obama]] spoke with Macron, indicating his support for the candidate in the 2017 French presidential election.<ref>Starr, Penny (April 22, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/22/obama-gently-waded-back-politics-speaks-phone-left-leaning-presidential-candidate-macron/ Obama ‘Gently Waded’ Back into Politics: Spoke on Phone with Left-Leaning Presidential Candidate Macron]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref> After the first round, Obama explicitly endorsed Macron's candidacy.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/04/obama-endorses-macron-in-french-presidential-race.html Obama endorses Macron in French presidential race]. ''Fox News''. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.</ref> By contrast, incumbent U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] called his opponent, the [[euroskeptic]] [[Marine Le Pen]], the strongest of the presidential candidates, particularly on borders and security;<ref>Multiple references: |
| | *Tomlinson, Chris (April 21, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/21/trump-touts-marine-le-pen-strongest-candidate-french-race/ Trump Touts Le Pen As ‘Strongest’ Candidate in French Presidential Race]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 21, 2017. | | *Tomlinson, Chris (April 21, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/21/trump-touts-marine-le-pen-strongest-candidate-french-race/ Trump Touts Le Pen As ‘Strongest’ Candidate in French Presidential Race]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 21, 2017. |
| | However, after the election, President Trump told Macron that "you were my guy": | | However, after the election, President Trump told Macron that "you were my guy": |
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| | In a speech later in the campaign, Macron called the Le Pen voters/supporters "hateful cowards", "anti-France" and "true enemies", displaying his [[liberal values]].<ref name="DeplorableMoment">http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/04/macrons-deplorables-moment/</ref> This was seen as similar to Hillary Clinton's "deplorable" statement.<ref name="DeplorableMoment"/> | | In a speech later in the campaign, Macron called the Le Pen voters/supporters "hateful cowards", "anti-France" and "true enemies", displaying his [[liberal values]].<ref name="DeplorableMoment">http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/04/macrons-deplorables-moment/</ref> This was seen as similar to Hillary Clinton's "deplorable" statement.<ref name="DeplorableMoment"/> |
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| − | About nine gigabytes of data of emails from the campaign of French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron were posted online<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/news/macron-blasts-huge-hacking-attack-just-before-french-vote/ Macron Blasts Huge Hacking Attack Just Before French Vote]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 5, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/05/as-bitter-french-campaign-ends-macrons-team-hit-by-hack.html As bitter French campaign ends, Macron's team hit by hack]. ''Fox News''. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.</ref> by a user called EMLEAKS to Pastebin on Friday the fifth of May. The En Marche! Movement has been the victim of a massive and coordinated hack this evening which has given rise to the diffusion on social media of various internal information." the statement said.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-macron-leaks-idUSKBN1812AZ</ref> | + | About nine gigabytes of data of emails from the campaign of French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron were posted online<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/news/macron-blasts-huge-hacking-attack-just-before-french-vote/ Macron Blasts Huge Hacking Attack Just Before French Vote]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 5, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/05/as-bitter-french-campaign-ends-macrons-team-hit-by-hack.html As bitter French campaign ends, Macron's team hit by hack]. ''Fox News''. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.</ref> by a user called EMLEAKS to Pastebin on Friday the fifth of May. The En Marche! Movement has been the victim of a massive and coordinated hack this evening which has given rise to the diffusion on social media of various internal information." the statement said.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-macron-leaks-idUSKBN1812AZ</ref> |
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| | ==French president== | | ==French president== |
| − | Macron's first phone call as president-elect was to [[Angela Merkel]].<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 8, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/08/merkel-praises-macron-for-championing-a-united-europe-open-to-the-world-in-first-call-as-president/ Macron’s First Phone Call as French President-Elect Is to Chancellor Merkel]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 8, 2017.</ref> He assumed office on May 14, 2017,<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/14/france-inaugurates-emmanuel-macron-as-new-president.html France inaugurates Emmanuel Macron as new president]. ''Fox News''. May 14, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.</ref> and immediately set to lobbying additional EU centralization.<ref>Edmunds, Donna Rachel (May 14, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/14/macron-spend-first-day-presidency-begging-germany-closer-european-integration/ Macron to Lobby Germany for Closer EU Integration on First Day as President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2017.</ref> Despite inviting U.S. climate scientists to move to France during the campaign, none had accepted his request by his early presidency.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (May 16, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/16/no-takers-yet-on-french-president-macrons-plea-for/ No takers yet on French President Macron’s plea for climate scientists to move to France]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 16, 2017.</ref> He received criticism for attempting to control media coverage over his administration.<ref>Corbet, Sylvie (May 18, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/18/frances-macron-holds-1st-cabinet-meeting-half-are-women.html French president talks to Putin, faces media troubles]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> | + | Macron's first phone call as president-elect was to [[Angela Merkel]].<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 8, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/08/merkel-praises-macron-for-championing-a-united-europe-open-to-the-world-in-first-call-as-president/ Macron’s First Phone Call as French President-Elect Is to Chancellor Merkel]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 8, 2017.</ref> He assumed office on May 14, 2017,<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/14/france-inaugurates-emmanuel-macron-as-new-president.html France inaugurates Emmanuel Macron as new president]. ''Fox News''. May 14, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.</ref> and immediately set to lobbying additional EU centralization.<ref>Edmunds, Donna Rachel (May 14, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/14/macron-spend-first-day-presidency-begging-germany-closer-european-integration/ Macron to Lobby Germany for Closer EU Integration on First Day as President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2017.</ref> Despite inviting U.S. climate scientists to move to France during the campaign, none had accepted his request by his early presidency.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (May 16, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/16/no-takers-yet-on-french-president-macrons-plea-for/ No takers yet on French President Macron’s plea for climate scientists to move to France]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 16, 2017.</ref> He received criticism for attempting to control media coverage over his administration.<ref>Corbet, Sylvie (May 18, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/18/frances-macron-holds-1st-cabinet-meeting-half-are-women.html French president talks to Putin, faces media troubles]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> |
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| − | Macron, a [[liberal elite]], chose an authoritarian and elitist governing style, and his administration's officials stated he would not hold question-answer press conferences because his thinking was too "complex" for journalists to understand.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (July 4, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/04/macron-announces-govern-like-jupiter-roman-king-gods/ Emmanuel Bonaparte: Macron Declares He Will Govern Like a Roman God]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2017.</ref> He has been criticized for having an arrogant personality.<ref>Vinocur, Nicholas (September 20, 2017). [http://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macrons-arrogance-problem/ Emmanuel Macron’s arrogance problem]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 20, 2017.</ref> In his first three months in office, Macron spent €26,000 (around $30,000) in makup-related expenses.<ref>Giaritelli, Anna (August 24, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/french-president-emmanuel-macron-spent-30000-on-makeup-related-expenses/article/2632522 French President Emmanuel Macron spent $30,000 on makeup-related expenses]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 24, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/25/frances-macron-spends-24000-on-makeup-in-three-months/ France’s Macron Spends £24,000 on Makeup in Three Months]. ''Breitbart News''. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.</ref><ref>Brown, Benjamin (August 24, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/24/french-president-macrons-make-up-expenses-draw-scrutiny.html French President Macron's make-up expenses draw scrutiny]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.</ref> In July 2018, he came under criticism for spending hundreds of thousands of euros of taxpayer money on lavish expenses, such as a swimming pool and replacing tableware with individually-decorated dishes.<ref>Young, Zachary (July 9, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/france-versailles-king-emmanuel-macron-pledges-expenses-spending-humility-amid-outcry-over-pool-bespoke-crockery/ King Macron pledges humility after pool scandal]. ''Politico''. Retrieved July 9, 2018.</ref> | + | Macron, a [[liberal elite]], chose an authoritarian and elitist governing style, and his administration's officials stated he would not hold question-answer press conferences because his thinking was too "complex" for journalists to understand.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (July 4, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/04/macron-announces-govern-like-jupiter-roman-king-gods/ Emmanuel Bonaparte: Macron Declares He Will Govern Like a Roman God]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2017.</ref> He has been criticized for having an arrogant personality.<ref>Vinocur, Nicholas (September 20, 2017). [http://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macrons-arrogance-problem/ Emmanuel Macron’s arrogance problem]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 20, 2017.</ref> In his first three months in office, Macron spent €26,000 (around $30,000) in makup-related expenses.<ref>Giaritelli, Anna (August 24, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/french-president-emmanuel-macron-spent-30000-on-makeup-related-expenses/article/2632522 French President Emmanuel Macron spent $30,000 on makeup-related expenses]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 24, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/25/frances-macron-spends-24000-on-makeup-in-three-months/ France’s Macron Spends £24,000 on Makeup in Three Months]. ''Breitbart News''. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.</ref><ref>Brown, Benjamin (August 24, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/24/french-president-macrons-make-up-expenses-draw-scrutiny.html French President Macron's make-up expenses draw scrutiny]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.</ref> In July 2018, he came under criticism for spending hundreds of thousands of euros of taxpayer money on lavish expenses, such as a swimming pool and replacing tableware with individually-decorated dishes.<ref>Young, Zachary (July 9, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/france-versailles-king-emmanuel-macron-pledges-expenses-spending-humility-amid-outcry-over-pool-bespoke-crockery/ King Macron pledges humility after pool scandal]. ''Politico''. Retrieved July 9, 2018.</ref> |
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| | Rather than contemplate France's and Europe's historically low birth rates and population loss, Macron (who himself has no children) criticized Africans for having "seven or eight children per woman", which he said explains the continent's poor condition.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (July 11, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/11/french-pm-emmanuel-macron-deemed-racist-for-dissing-african-fertility/ French PM Emmanuel Macron Deemed ‘Racist’ for Dissing African Fertility]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 11, 2017.</ref> In August 2018, he criticized his own country as being "Gauls who are resistant to change."<ref name="DaneFrenchman">Multiple references: | | Rather than contemplate France's and Europe's historically low birth rates and population loss, Macron (who himself has no children) criticized Africans for having "seven or eight children per woman", which he said explains the continent's poor condition.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (July 11, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/11/french-pm-emmanuel-macron-deemed-racist-for-dissing-african-fertility/ French PM Emmanuel Macron Deemed ‘Racist’ for Dissing African Fertility]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 11, 2017.</ref> In August 2018, he criticized his own country as being "Gauls who are resistant to change."<ref name="DaneFrenchman">Multiple references: |
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| | ===Approval ratings=== | | ===Approval ratings=== |
| − | Macron's approval ratings fell deeply in his first three months in office.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/27/frances-macron-sees-popularity-fall-40-per-cent/ France’s Macron Drops 14 Poll Points, Popularity Falls to 40 Per Cent]. ''Breitbart News''. August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.</ref> Most commentators attributed this to his authoritarian tendencies and aggressive media self-promotion.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/06/popularity-new-french-president-macron-collapses-less-three-months-vote/ Popularity of New French President Macron Collapses Less Than Three Months After Vote]. ''Breitbart News''. August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> By the first 100-day mark of his presidency, Macron's approval ratings were at 36%, 10% lower than his predecessor's was at the same point in his presidency.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (August 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/13/macron-36-per-cent-approval-rating-amongst-sceptical-french/ Macron at 36 Per Cent Approval Rating Amongst ‘Sceptical’ French]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> It was noted that Macron's approval rating fell even lower than U.S. President [[Donald Trump]],<ref>Adams, Becket (September 5, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/emmanuel-macron-more-unpopular-in-france-than-trump-in-us/article/2633442 Emmanuel Macron more unpopular in France than Trump in US]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 5, 2017.</ref><ref>Moody, John (August 9, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/08/09/suddenly-less-popular-than-trump-frances-macron-gets-schooled.html Suddenly less popular than Trump, France's Macron gets schooled]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 5, 2017.</ref><ref>Hale, Virginia (September 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/06/msm-struggles-trump-beating-macron/ MSM Struggles to Come to Terms with Populist Trump Beating Globalist Macron in Poll Ratings]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 6, 2018.</ref> who the [[mainstream media]] noted had low poll numbers himself. By July 2018, Macron's approval rating had fallen to 32%.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (July 26, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/26/president-macron-sinks-historic-polling-lows-bodyguard-scandal-rages/ President Macron Sinks to Historic Polling Lows as Bodyguard Scandal Rages]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 26, 2018.</ref> | + | Macron's approval ratings fell deeply in his first three months in office.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/27/frances-macron-sees-popularity-fall-40-per-cent/ France’s Macron Drops 14 Poll Points, Popularity Falls to 40 Per Cent]. ''Breitbart News''. August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.</ref> Most commentators attributed this to his authoritarian tendencies and aggressive media self-promotion.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/06/popularity-new-french-president-macron-collapses-less-three-months-vote/ Popularity of New French President Macron Collapses Less Than Three Months After Vote]. ''Breitbart News''. August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> By the first 100-day mark of his presidency, Macron's approval ratings were at 36%, 10% lower than his predecessor's was at the same point in his presidency.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (August 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/13/macron-36-per-cent-approval-rating-amongst-sceptical-french/ Macron at 36 Per Cent Approval Rating Amongst ‘Sceptical’ French]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> It was noted that Macron's approval rating fell even lower than U.S. President [[Donald Trump]],<ref>Adams, Becket (September 5, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/emmanuel-macron-more-unpopular-in-france-than-trump-in-us/article/2633442 Emmanuel Macron more unpopular in France than Trump in US]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 5, 2017.</ref><ref>Moody, John (August 9, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/08/09/suddenly-less-popular-than-trump-frances-macron-gets-schooled.html Suddenly less popular than Trump, France's Macron gets schooled]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 5, 2017.</ref><ref>Hale, Virginia (September 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/06/msm-struggles-trump-beating-macron/ MSM Struggles to Come to Terms with Populist Trump Beating Globalist Macron in Poll Ratings]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 6, 2018.</ref> who the [[mainstream media]] noted had low poll numbers himself. By July 2018, Macron's approval rating had fallen to 32%.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (July 26, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/26/president-macron-sinks-historic-polling-lows-bodyguard-scandal-rages/ President Macron Sinks to Historic Polling Lows as Bodyguard Scandal Rages]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 26, 2018.</ref> |
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| | An Ifop-Fiducial poll taken in April 2018 found that 58% of French voters were unhappy with Macron, and 73% described him as authoritarian.<ref>Hale, Virginia (April 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/19/france-voters-unhappy-macron/ France: Majority ‘Unhappy’ with Globalist President Macron]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 25, 2018.</ref> | | An Ifop-Fiducial poll taken in April 2018 found that 58% of French voters were unhappy with Macron, and 73% described him as authoritarian.<ref>Hale, Virginia (April 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/19/france-voters-unhappy-macron/ France: Majority ‘Unhappy’ with Globalist President Macron]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 25, 2018.</ref> |