Brigitte Macron role - transparency charter published

The Elysée Palace today published on its website the ‘transparency charter relating to the status of the spouse of Head of State’, a text that specifies the role and the means attributed to the President’s wife, Brigitte Macron.

“The spouse of the President of the Republic exercises, by virtue both of Republican tradition and diplomatic practice, a role of representation, patronage and accompaniment of the Head of State in his missions,” the statement reads.

Brigitte Macron’s spokesperson told AFP: “It is not a legal status but a commitment, which is only valid for Brigitte Macron and for the duration of the term of office of Emmanuel Macron, and which will not be binding on his successors or their spouses.”

Among the key elements of the charter:

1. The spouse of the President of the Republic:

- ensures the representation of France, alongside the President of the Republic, at international summits and meetings

- responds to the requests of the French and French and foreign personalities who wish to meet her

- supervises the holding of official events and receptions in the Palais de l’Elysée

- supports, through sponsorship or presence, events of a charitable, cultural or social nature or which participate in the international influence of France

2. The means allocated to the spouse of the President:

- The wife of the Head of State does not receive any remuneration in this respect.

- She does not have representation costs and does not have her own budget.

Two advisors of the President of the Republic are specifically placed at her disposal:

A special advisor who serves as the director of Brigitte Macron’s office; another who performs the function of chief of staff.

3. Communication

The present Charter will be published on the website of the Presidency of the Republic.

At the end of each month, a summary of the agenda of Mme Macron will be made public.

The publication of this transparency charter specific to Brigitte Macron comes a fortnight after it was announced that there would be no official political role for the President’s wife.

Reports had earlier suggested that Brigitte would have political responsibilities and even an official budget allocated to her role. The proposals were part of an electoral suggestion from Mr Macron that he would seek to create a more official role for partners of the head of state.

Read the full charter (in French) on the Elysée Palace website.