Exactly a week ago, a young former investment banker and former Economic Affairs minister, Emmanuel Macron floored every political establishment to become the youngest French President at just 39 years of age. He not only won under the aegis of a barely existent political party – actually, it’s safer to say he ran as an independent, he beat all the pros at their game by rallying the youth power and voices in his fractured country.
Today, Emmanuel Macron has been inaugurated as the French President in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony at the Elysees Champs.
Tomorrow, he faces the first and probably the biggest test of his legitimacy as he’ll be expected to name his Prime Minister who’ll need the approval of a legislature made up of the old chaps he’s just floored but tomorrow can wait. Let’s enjoy the victorious photos of his ceremony for now:
The new face of France
Macron campaigned and won the election promising a more progressive France, strengthened economic relations with the US and other super powers and an extremely pro-European stance #NoToFrexit. His slogan #EnMarche signified more than its progressive meaning; it symbolises much of what the 39-year old stands for: movement.
Despite the disdain with which the French welcomed his policies as the Economic Affairs Minister under Hollande, he still moved closer to the hearts of the voters. The days ahead are gloomy as well because much of his campaign promises of unity and increasing employment opportunities are based on untested policies. Still #EnMarche!
An older First lady
The circumstances under which Macron and his wife, Brigitte Trogneux got married as well as the age gap between the couple was the subject of many a campaign coverage but the wagging tongues of the world has never proved a hinderance for either President Macron nor his wife.
Brigitte Trogneux
Tiphaine Auziere, Brigitte’s daughter from her former marriage
Outgoing Hollande
Emmanuel Macron takes over from Francois Hollande who had been in office since 2012 and under who’s tenure unemployment rate hit new lows and terror took over France.
Up until 3 months before Macron announced his intention to run for office, he was a minister in Hollande’s Cabinet.
The ceremonies
A red carpet was rolled out at the Elysees Palace for the new President as early as 9am.
After arriving at the Champs Elysees with his wife and meeting with Francois Hollamnde for about an hour, Macron was presented with the Chain of Office, – “grand collier de la Légion d’honneur” – a necklace owned by Napoleon I, and a symbol of his position as Grand Master of the Legion of Honour. The one presented to Macron today is a replica of the one made for and worn by Napoleon.
Attendees waiting patiently in the Elysees ballroom before the new President delivered his first speech [Watch below]
Salutations to the new president
Twenty-one cannon blasts boomed out across Paris from Les Invalides, home to the army museum and the tomb of Napoleon, in a formal salute to Macron.
Macron then walked to the Arc de Triomphe underneath which lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – a monument to the unidentified dead from both world wars. Macron laid a wreath at the tomb, and symbolically re-lit the “eternal flame” of the monument, in his capacity as the new leader of the armed forces.
Macron on his way to Arc de Triomphe doing his now famous wink!