The French Emmanuel Macron He was sworn in for his second term as president on Saturday, vowing to lead the country with a “new method,” as his political rivals kicked off the campaign for next month’s legislative elections.
In a country where presidents are rarely re-elected, Macron won 58.5% of the vote in the second round against the far-right Marine LePendespite strong opposition to his pro-business policies and the proposal to raise the retirement age.
In a short speech, he spoke of the need to innovate at a time of unprecedented challenges for the world and for Franceand said his second term would be “new” and not a mere continuation of his first five years in office.
“We have to invent together a new method, far from traditions and tired routines, with which we can build a new productive, social and ecological contract,” he said, promising to act with “respect” and “consideration.”
He highlighted the threat posed by the invasion of Ukraine by Russiaas well as global environmental concerns.
Among the 500 invited guests were former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, former prime ministers Edouard Philippe, Manuel Valls, Alain Juppe and Jean-Pierre Raffarin, as well as religious leaders and other figures of state.
Hollandewhich supported Macron in the April 24 runoff, told reporters after the rally that Macron could not afford to reproduce “yesterday’s methods.”
“What we have noticed in these elections is that there are more citizens (who have voted) out of rejection, rather than out of hope,” Hollande said.
Macron, 44, is the first non-coalition president to be re-elected since the formation of the Fifth Republic in 1958.
Macron’s new term formally begins on the night of May 13 and his prime minister, Jean Castexremains in office for the time being.
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