The day North Korea fired a missile over Japan, the French president used a key speech to describe the battle against Islamist terrorism as his "top priority."
Image: Reuters/Y. Valat
Advertisement
Fighting "Islamist terrorism" at home and abroad is France's top priority said President Emmanuel Macron in his first major foreign policy speech on Tuesday.
"Providing security for our citizens means that the fight against Islamist terrorism is our first priority," he told a crowd of some 200 French ambassadors gathered in Paris.
France has suffered a number of terror attacks in recent years, which have claimed more than 230 lives.
On the day North Korea fired a missile over Japan, Macron urged a tough international stance saying France was ready to do "everything possible… to bring Pyongyang to the table."
"There is no alternative to the nonproliferation agenda. It enables a constructive and demanding relationship with Iran," explained Macron.
In a wide-ranging speech covering a host of topics, Macron went on to condemn Venezuela's "dictatorship," which is currently facing deadly street protests. "A dictatorship is trying to survive at an unprecedented humanitarian cost, even though the resources of the country remain significant," he said.
The 39-year-old, who was elected four months ago, also said he would announce new initiatives on the future of the European Union after German elections next month.
"I would rather build the future than go over the past," Macron told diplomats, adding, "Brexit should not take up all our energy."
Macron initially won approval for his bold start on the international stage, hosting both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in his first weeks of office. However, over the last four months, Macron has suffered the worst drop in popularity by a new French president in 20 years.
Macron's new home
It's time for France's new president to start packing his bags to move to the Elysee Palace. DW takes a look at the luxurious address where Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte will be living.
Image: AFP/Getty Images
Presidential chambers
The Elysee Palace, located in Paris' eighth arrondissement, is truly one of the many crowning pieces of architecture of the French capital. The gates of 55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore shield the president's palace from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Paris - despite being situated in the heart of the city.
Image: picture-alliance/akg-images/H. Champollion
Dinner with Macron
On the inside, the grand edifice also meets all the standards expected of a presidential palace. The ostentatious dining room is fittingly luxurious, from its massive chandeliers to its brocade curtains. It is accentuated by golden pillars around its edges. Dignataries from around the world have dined here, savoring the best of French cuisine.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
French cuisine
In fact, the presidential palace is renowned for its haute cuisine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is rumored to have sent her personal chef there to learn a lesson or two from the French. Being a chef at the Elysee Palace, however, is a hard gig: it is estimated that the kitchen team produces 95,000 meals per year, ranging from sandwiches to state dinners.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca/D. Allard
A piece of cake
One of the many delicacies prepared the Elysee Palace is the "Galette des Rois", which means "king cake" in English. Tradition has it that on Three Kings Day each year, a large cake is made with a little figurine hidden inside it. If the president is the one who finds it in his slice, he gets to be the king of France - but only for one day.
Image: Imago/Xinhua
Born with a silver spoon - or not
A former chef working at the Elysee Palace once told reporters that the silverware and crockery used at the presidential home are so valuable that they're kept under lock and key inside a vault. Nevertheless, those granted a visit with the president apparently often still manage to take a souvenir back home - usually a teaspoon.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
The property comes with a garden...
We don't know yet whether the Macrons have green thumbs or not, but they will have plenty of space to do some gardening if they want to. The grounds are more like a park, with lots of nooks and crannies for a vegetable patch or a rose garden. Former US first lady Michelle Obama, for instance, apparently rather enjoyed gardening at the White House.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/B. Langlois
More than one room for each day
With 369 rooms and halls in total it's unlikely that there will ever be a scarcity of space at the Elysee Palace. After all, the personal chambers of the president only make up the east wing of the building, leaving plenty of room to play with. Should, however, the president not find things up to scratch, there's a team to make sure that everything is done to his utmost satisfaction.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
Goodbye yesterday, hello tomorrow
Before Emmanuel Macron can move into the Elysee Palace his predecessor, Francois Hollande, will have to vacate the presidential premises. Saying goodbye to such spectacular views might be difficult, but perhaps the outgoing president will find some comfort in knowing that many have come and gone before him. And one day, it will also be Macron's turn to say "au revoir" to Elysee Palace.
Image: picture-alliance/MAXPPP/L. Vu
The heart of the French Republic
The palace has been home to the French heads of state since 1873. The majority of French presidents have elected to reside in the luxurious premises. For the next five years, Emmanuel Macron will be joining their ranks - and perhaps for even longer. We wish Macron and the First Lady all the best at their new home, and vive la France!
