The youngest French President, Emmanuel Macron took over today from the outgoing Socialist president, Francois Hollande, who was also Macron’s mentor, amidst tight security.
The handover of charge to the new president took place in an impressive ceremony at Elysee Palace in Paris.
Unlike in many other countries, there is no swearing-in or oath-taking ceremony in France. After walking up the red carpet at the Elysee Palace in central Paris, Macron and Hollande had a private meeting in the president’s office where Macron was handed over the codes to launch France’s nuclear weapons.
The new president’s wife, Brigitte, arrived separately.
The outgoing president’s five years in office were plagued by economic downturn, unemployment and bloodied terror attacks.
The transition of power and the inauguration ceremony. pic.twitter.com/v0jfVUBB2S
— MacronInEnglish (@MacronInEnglish) May 14, 2017
In his outstanding first speech as the President, which was Tweeted live to the world, Macron said, France had chosen ‘hope’.
“From this day forward, I will be at work. Long live the Republic, long live France.” @EmmanuelMacron https://t.co/ZaYTWI9gof
— MacronInEnglish (@MacronInEnglish) May 14, 2017
He further stated that “The world needs what French men and woman have always taught it, freedom, equality and fraternity.”
“The world needs what the French have always taught: the audacity of liberty, the exigence of equality, the will to fraternity.” – Macron https://t.co/8KyIjTzMzQ
— MacronInEnglish (@MacronInEnglish) May 14, 2017
He also said, “I am aware that the French people expect much from me. I shall always have the will to bring the French people together.”
He said, “France will make sure to always be on the side of liberty, on the side of the rights of Man and peace.”
On Europe he said, “The Europe that we so need will be refounded, relaunched, because it protects us.”
“We will need a Europe that is more efficient, more democratic and more political, for it is the ultimate instrument of our sovereignty.”
“Europe is the best expression of our power and sovereignty. I will work towards improving it.”
Speaking to his electorate he promised as a true Centralist,
“French power is not in decline, we hold in our hands all the assets of a 21st Century power. And we will use them.”
“Everything that makes France a safe country to live will be reinforced. Our republican secularism will be protected.”
“We will take responsibility to tackle The World’s challenges. We are all interdependent, we are all neighbours.” @EmmanuelMacron
— MacronInEnglish (@MacronInEnglish) May 14, 2017
After a formal lunch, Macron – accompanied by his wife Brigitte – visited Paris’s town hall, a traditional stop for any new French president in his “host” city.
On Monday, Macron is expected to reveal the closely-guarded name of his prime minister, before flying to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the leader of EU nations.
Pro-EU Macron wants to push for closer cooperation to help the bloc overcome the imminent departure of Britain, another of its most powerful members.
He intends to press for the creation of a parliament and budget for the eurozone.
Macron is the youngest leader of France since Nepoleon Napoleon Bonaparte.