EEmmanuel Macron (born December 21 1977 Amiens France) French banker and politician who was elected president of France in 2017. the first person history Fifth Republic to win presidency without backing either Socialists or Gaullists he France’s youngest head state since Napoleon I. He reelected 2022 becoming two decades a second term. Early life start politics eldest three siblings born family doctors held politically liberal views. attended private lycée (secondary school) where proved be an exceptionally gifted student. While there began long-term relationship with his drama teacher Brigitte Trogneux were later married (2007). completed baccalauréat at prestigious Lycée Henri-IV Paris before studying international policy public service grande école Sciences Po. During this time also served as editorial assistant for philosopher historian Paul Ricoeur. In 2001 received master’s degree from Po well philosophy Nanterre University. 2004 graduated near top class École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) school that had attained reputation fast track political power. Presidents Valéry Giscard d’Estaing Jacques Chirac François Hollande all ENA alumni. career finance inspector Ministry Economy Finance. Four years bought out government contract €50000 (approximately $70000) enter sector move friends warned would jeopardize any future ambitions. September 2008 joined Rothschild & Cie Banque division financial group investment banker. advanced quickly company 2012 brokered Nestlé’s blockbuster $12 billion acquisition Pfizer’s baby food division. reportedly earned €2.9 million (about $3.8 million) role deal. still Rothschild working latter campaigned Socialist Party’s nomination ahead election. After won presidency administration deputy chief staff economic adviser. became face summits 2014 elevated minister. promoted package reforms known loi (“Macron law”) effort spark moribund economy but legislation triggered revolt left wing Party. February 2015 Prime Minister Manuel Valls forced invoke Article 49 constitution rarely used measure allows bill pass consent parliament on condition is then subjected vote confidence. easily survived vote enacted. As result restrictions conducting business Sundays loosened some professions deregulated labour market largely untouched 35-hour workweek remained intact. The amounted relatively modest reform country grappling persistently high unemployment slow growth it nevertheless sparked fierce backlash both right. Rise Hollande’s approval rating plummeted result anemic performance Europe’s ongoing migrant crisis these factors fuel rise Marine Le Pen her nationalist anti-immigrant party National Front (now Rally). distance himself Hollande even while serving administration deadly terrorist attacks November caused him delay break government. April 2016 announced creation En Marche! (“Forward!”) popular movement characterized “democratic revolution” against sclerotic system. Echoing third-way paradigm been by Pres. Bill Clinton United States Tony Blair Britain proposed centre-left fusion populism neoliberalism. Observers noted timing announcement—slightly more than year 2017 presidential election—strongly hinted outsider bid Élysée Palace. Macron’s increasingly strained following launch Marche! hardly liability given president’s single-digit numbers. On August 30 2016 submitted resignation 16 formally declared candidacy president. campaign took turn favour month when Republicans former prime minister Fillon their party’s nominee. topped Nicolas Sarkozy Alain Juppé intraparty contest. marked likely front-runner race imploded amid accusations created fake jobs members improperly accepted tens thousands euros gifts. Special offer students! Check our special academic rate excel spring semester! perceiving no realistic path term not seek reelection. resigned candidacy selected Benoît Hamon far wing Juppé representing parties’ moderate factions subsequently support Macron significant coup candidate did have major party backing. Historically low parties opened door independent candidates race effectively three-way contest between Pen Jean-Luc Mélenchon run Communist drew right Mélenchon left centrist antiestablishment message found broad cross section populace. Notably only prominent pro-European Union carried strong undercurrent Euroskepticism. When voters went polls round election 23 2017 field 11 capturing 24 percent vote. 21 percent guaranteeing spot weeks later. finished virtual dead heat third each claiming about 20 Hamon distant fifth just over 6 percent. For Republic neither main represented runoff. Just days event hackers uploaded internal communications Internet apparent attempt influence attack attributed same Russian-backed group targeted Democratic Party during U.S. election effect so-called “MacronLeaks” information dump negligible owing least part media laws banning coverage hours prior round May 7 convincing two-thirds becoming age 39 Voters ways voice dissatisfaction however. Roughly one-fourth abstained entirely—the highest electorate nonparticipation nearly half century—while four cast intentionally blank spoiled ballots. victory welcomed outside France indeed euro soared six-month upon news. With existing structure challenge secure majority parliament. term Angela Merkel Emmanuel German Chancellor President holding hands ceremony commemorating 100th anniversary World War I armistice site signing armistice forest Compiègne France 2018. legislative elections June delivered victory winning 308 577 seats Assembly. additional Bayrou’s Movement (MoDem) coalition commanded total 350 seats. Although stunning 14 months old turnout 42.6 lowest voter participation parliamentary modern history. presence world stage: Britain struggled complete Brexit process Germany’s inching toward retirement charismatic young room assert himself. growing abroad little bolster domestic approval A tax plan benefited wealthiest citizens nickname président des riches (“president rich”) criticism sharply intensified 2018 rocked wave demonstrations opposition increase. protesters dubbed gilets jaunes (“yellow vests”) after bright traffic safety vests they wore among public withdraw tax. experienced brief surge popularity 2019 fire seriously damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral launched fundraising brought hundreds millions dollars repair rebuilding iconic landmark. agenda included curbs spending—he famously quipped “magic money” spend services corresponding increase revenues—but put aside measures faced greatest global health century. coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic sharp contraction locked down nonessential businesses restricted travel recovered quickly. 25 people contracted COVID-19 potentially disease virus country’s vaccination its robust retention scheme spared death rates lingering evident elsewhere. reelection spite administration’s effective response pandemic consistently hovered around 40 polling numbers reflected results 2021 regional elections. failed capture single region resurgent dominated across country. That saw another record turnout: one-third eligible polls. Voter apathy concern 2022 campaign mobilize remaining supporters. 10 repeat contest captured almost 28 23 22 and although stopped short full endorsement urged supporters “not give vote” Pen. runoff 24 secured 58 continued occupy place European stage tried act mediator Moscow Kyiv Russian invasion Ukraine. His lost Élisabeth Borne resignation rejected it citing need “stay task act.” month confidence unable bring into coalition ultimately presiding minority October trigger 49.3 constitution budget comparative instability governments Fourth (1946–58) one (1958– ) ensure primacy executive mechanism which allowed bypass legislature use divided (“cohabitation”) governments however decried invocation anti-democratic. again March 2023 pushed through controversial pension raise retirement 62 64 2030. Months protests strikes occurred lead-up passage bill lawmakers responded submitting no-confidence motions One sponsored left-leaning lawmakers 278 votes falling 9 votes shy 287 necessary passage. Another motion Rally supported 94 lawmakers. Had motion passed replace dissolve Assembly call snap failure meant law.