Emmanuel Macron promised “deep change” Sunday as he was inaugurated as France’s youngest president ever.
Macron promised to tackle political, economic and social problems while restoring France’s global standing.
“France has to rise to the occasion,” he said in his inauguration speech. “France will always seek to be on the side of liberty and human rights — always to build peace over time.”
He asked the French people to be prepared to “deal with deep change” as the world “needs France more than ever.”
France has been in a state of emergency since 2015 after a string of terror attacks. Macron said the country will “go beyond our fears and anxieties” in years ahead.
“France is only strong if it’s prosperous. France is only a model for the world if it is exemplary,” he said. “We will have given back to the French a taste for the future and pride in what they are. The whole world will pay attention to what France says because we will, together, go beyond our fears and anxieties. We will, together, be an example of a people that knows how to affirm their values, their principles — those of democracy and the republic.”
Macron beat populist Marine Le Pen in a landslide vote May 7. Unlike his opponent, Macron is a strong believer in the European Union, and he will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday to “relaunch the European project.”
“From this very evening I will be at work,” Macron said. “Long live the republic and long live France.”
Macron is expected to name his prime minister Monday.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.