Emmanuel Macron address both houses of French Parliament, says country ready for 'radically new path'
In his first address to members of the National Assembly and Senate since his election in May, French president Emmanuel Macron delivered a US-style state of the nation speech in the Versailles palace
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In his first address to members of the National Assembly and Senate since his election in May, French president Emmanuel Macron delivered a US-style state of the nation speech in the Versailles Palace, the former seat of French kings, saying the country must change. AP
Macron promised a "profound transformation" of French politics, proposing to slash by a third the number of MPs, and telling lawmakers he would call a referendum if they do not agree. AP
Laying out his political, security and diplomatic priorities, Macron vowed to lift a state of emergency that has been in place since 2015 but also to harden permanent security measures to fight Islamic extremism and other threats. AP
The French leader last month set out a tough new anti-terrorism law designed to allow the lifting of the state of emergency, which has been extended five times. AP
The French president also said that the European Union has "lost its way", calling for a "new generation of leaders" to revive the bloc. "The building of Europe has been weakened by the spread of bureaucracy and by the growing scepticism that comes from that," he said at the address. AP
Macron, third from left, is welcomed by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, far left, National Assembly Speaker Francois de Rugy, second from left, and Senate Speaker Gerard Larcher, far right, as he arrives at the Versailles Palace. AP
His decision to convene a sitting of both houses of the French Parliament — a rare event usually reserved for times of crisis — was criticised by the opposition, who saw his use of the Palace of Versailles as a further proof of a "monarchical" drift. Some also accused the president of trying to steal the thunder of the prime minister, who will deliver a key policy speech to parliament on Tuesday. AP