French President Emmanuel Macron is set to give details of his plans for the remaining two years of his term in a two-hour television appearance on Tuesday, May 13. Macron is due to appear from 8:10 pm on the TF1 channel, addressing the French people, debating high-profile figures and answering questions sent in by ordinary citizens. "Surrounded by more than 100 square meters of screens, the president will be addressed by figures from civil society, both on set and via video," TF1 said in a statement.
Those set to put their points of view in front of Macron range from the head of the hardline CGT union Sophie Binet to Tibo Inshape, a fitness influencer with a large following. Macron's appearance will offer a chance to defend his record but also to outline what lies ahead.
One possible major announcement could be a referendum, aiming at making citizens feel more involved in politics against the background of the rise of the far right. According to media reports, the referendum could take place on a single day this year but tackle multiple – likely three – separate issues ranging from assisted dying to screen use for the under 15s or more politically contentious issues like the budget or immigration. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said over the weekend that such a poll would cost €200 million if it used paper voting or €100 million if carried out digitally.
In any case, the TV show, called "Emmanuel Macron – the challenges for France" and presented by star anchor Gilles Bouleau, represents a new format for the president. Macron, who came to power in 2017 promising radical change for France, will step down in 2027 after serving the maximum two terms of office allowed under the Constitution. On occasion over the last year, Macron has appeared as a lame duck especially after his decision to hold snap legislative elections last summer backfired, leaving the far-right as the biggest party in parliament, giving his own party a diminished and minority presence. But the last months have seen a newly energized Macron, boosted by successes on the international stage as he uses his cordial relationship with US President Donald Trump in the search for a just peace for Ukraine after the Russian invasion.