Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, is getting an official role but without the title “first lady”.
The presidency has published a “transparency charter” defining her duties, funded from Macron’s budget, the BBC reported.
She will have an active role in civil society, focusing on the disabled, education, children, women’s issues, health and gender equality.
A petition signed by more than 316,000 people opposed a “first lady” role.
Much French media comment has focused on the 24-year age gap between her and her younger husband. She played a prominent role in his election campaign and is seen as a strong influence on him.
The social issues that will particularly engage her also figured as priorities in Macron’s manifesto.
The Elysée Palace’s new “charter” (in French) is an innovation - no previous French presidency has stated the spouse’s role so clearly.
Creating an official first lady position would have required a change to the law or constitution. Instead, the charter uses the term “the head of state’s spouse”.
It stipulates that Mrs. Macron will not be paid a salary for exercising her duties, nor will she have her own budget or expenses claims. The costs will come out of the presidential budget.
She will have the assistance of two advisers, her own office and a secretariat.
In his presidential campaign, Macron stressed that politicians should not employ relatives, after his conservative rival Francois Fillon lost much support for doing so.
