The temptation proved too great for Emmanuel Macron. Forced to withdraw from domestic politics since his backfiring decision to call snap parliamentary elections in June 2024, and now tied up with international affairs, the French president is now putting the finishing touches on his return to the forefront of domestic politics. He has chosen to address the nation on the television channel TF1 in a special program that will be broadcast live on Tuesday, May 13, starting at 8:10 pm. The format chosen for this return to the spotlight, two months after his solemn March 5 address about the "Russian threat," holds particular significance.

The program, entitled "Emmanuel Macron – the Challenges of France," will consist of Macron answering live questions from TF1 journalist Gilles Bouleau, both on subjects that fall under the president's so-called reserved domain (diplomacy, defense) as well as citizens' everyday concerns. The two-hour program will provide the president with opportunities to interact with "several figures from civil society" and with viewers.

The Elysée Palace is hoping to give the president a boost in public opinion. With Prime Minister François Bayrou, an ally, suffering from mounting unpopularity, Macron's entourage is hoping the interview will show that his own connection with the French people remains intact, following a long period of "depressurization" in opinion polls, to use the word of one of Macron's close associates.

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