INTERNATIONAL NEWS - French President Emmanuel Macron is to abandon plans to create an official role of first lady for his wife Brigitte, according to reports.
During his campaign, Mr Macron had said he wanted to create "a real status" for his wife.
But an online petition against the move has gained almost 290,000 signatures.
French media report that Brigitte Macron's position will be clarified in the coming days, but that the constitution will not be altered.
In a TV interview during is presidential campaign, Mr Macron said that, if elected, he would want the role of first lady to be "defined".
"She [Brigitte Macron] will have a say on what she wants to be," he told TF1 in April.
The French constitution gives no official status to a president's spouse, although they are typically allocated an office in the Elysée Palace, an assistant or two, and security guards.
Macron to abandon plans for official first lady
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