Emmanuel Macron to abandon plans to create official first lady post

Emmanuel Macron's wife will not be given official First Lady status after almost 300,000 people signed a petition against the move, it has been reported.

But an online petition against the move has gained nearly 300,000 signatures. The French government appears to have made a decision to listen to the public: Brigitte Macron will not have an official political title, a budget, or a salary. And it is true that, traditionally, the French president's wife has always had an unofficial role and paid staff - Carla Bruni, wife of former president Nicolas Sarkozy, had eight advisers. Past French presidents' wives haven't had political titles, though like USA first ladies, they have undertaken charity projects.

After hard-fought debates, parliament approved the bill, one of two on public ethics - a key theme for President Emmanuel Macron during the election campaign, which was dominated for months by allegations of financial impropriety against his conservative rival Francois Fillon, who denied any wrongdoing. Government spokesman Christophe Castaner tweeted that she'll still be a public figure.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, his wife Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris. "We are looking to be transparent and to outline the means she has at her disposal".

"Brigitte Macron receives more than 200 letters a day. and keeps a link with the French public with the greatest discretion", he added.

But Mr Macron's government appears to have backtracked amid claims of hypocrisy as it tries to push through an anti-corruption law preventing MPs from hiring family members as assistants.

The issue has become a new political headache for Macron after an online petition against creating the role garnered more than 280,000 signatures and an opinion poll showed a majority of French people were also opposed.