Macron’s close aide leaves as president shuffles staff
PARIS: One of President Emmanuel Macron’s closest advisers has announced his resignation, continuing a shake-up of the French leader’s inner cabinet as he seeks to claw back lost popularity.
Ismael Emelien, a 31-year-old communications specialist who was an architect of Macron’s bid for the presidency, said he was leaving to write a book about centre-left politics.
He follows another key confidant out of the door of the Elysee palace, speech writer and media adviser Sylvain Fort, after a damaging sixmonth period for Macron marked by scandal, protests and plummeting approval ratings.
“It’s not a resignation, it’s a departure,” Emelien said, adding that he had always avoided the media while serving as a special adviser to Macron and that his decision to write a book meant he had to resign from his position.
“Any other interpretation of my departure — and there will be others — would be wrong,” he added.
Emelien’s young age and closeness to Macron saw him build a reputation as one of Paris’ most talented political tacticians, who worked behind the scenes providing advice on how to communicate policy choices and counter opponents. ‘THE BATTLE OF IDEAS’
He was the brains behind Macron’s rallying call for action on climate which went viral on social media — “Make our planet great again!” — a response to US President Donald Trump’s climate scepticism and catchphrase “Make America great again.”
But his powers have been increasingly questioned in recent months, firstly over the handling of a scandal involving Macron’s former bodyguard which erupted in July, and later the “yellow vest” protests which began in November.
Since winning the presidency in May 2017, Macron has also been regularly criticised for his aloof style and desire to keep the media at a distance, leading to complaints that he gives few interviews and fails to explain himself enough.
“Ismael is someone who is very committed to the battle of ideas. He wants to lead this fight on the outside in a different way, it’s an important fight,” government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told France 2 television, adding that it was a “personal decision”.