French president Macron wants to give a role to his wife
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French President Emmanuel Macron wants to formalize the role of the president's wife amid controversy over the cost and status of the first lady.
The president's office is preparing a formal communication in coming days, Brigitte Macron's office said Tuesday.
During his presidential campaign, Macron promised more "transparency" on the issue. France's first lady doesn't have an official status.
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As Macron's popularity drops in polls, more than 270,000 people have signed a petition in the past few weeks against the plan to grant a tax-funded budget to finance the president's wife activities.
Brigitte Macron currently has an office at the Elysee palace and a staff composed of two advisers and two secretaries, as well as bodyguards.
Publicly, she is mostly seen at her husband's side.