JAKARTA - Emmanuel Macron has finally been officially sworn in as President of France for the second time. The swearing-in took place in a ceremony at the Elysee Palace on Saturday, May 7, local time.
Macron was re-elected after bagging 58.5 percent of the vote in a second-round election against far-right Marine Le Pen. In fact, he had received opposition due to pro-business policies and proposals to increase the retirement age.
Macron is the first president without a coalition government to be re-elected since the formation of the Fifth Republic, as France's system of government is called, in 1958.
Macron's new term will formally begin on the evening of May 13 and prime minister Jean Castex remains in office.
In his short speech, Macron spoke about the need for innovation at a time when the world and France are facing many new challenges. The 44-year-old man also said that his second term was not merely a continuation of what had been done before.
"We need to find new methods together, away from tiresome traditions and routines, when we are able to build new, productive, social and ecological agreements," he said, promising action with "respect" and "consideration".
He then highlighted the threat posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and concerns for the global environment.
Meanwhile, Macron's inauguration marks the end of an electoral campaign and the start of campaigning for legislative elections in June. The new left-wing political coalition, formed by La France Insoumise, the Socialist Party, the Greens and the Communist Party, hopes to reduce Macron's power in parliament.
The far-right party, Les Republicains, is due to hold a national council meeting on Saturday.
Macron will visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Monday to mark "Europe Day".
Later that same week on his first visit since taking office, he will travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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