'Humble' Macron responds to critics

VERSAILLES, France (AFP) – Seen by critics as arrogant and uncaring, French President Emmanuel Macron struck a humble note Monday while defending his pro-business approach in his annual address to both houses of parliament. The 40-year-old centrist, elected in May last year, has started a tradition of making a once-a-year speech at the opulent Palace of Versailles, a French equivalent of the State of the Union speech in the United States. Macron began with a nod to critics of his leadership style that has seen him attacked by his opponents as monarchical, and even led to misgivings in his own party about the concentration of powers in the presidential palace. ''I know I can't do everything, I know that I can't succeed with everything,'' he told the 900 lawmakers, adding that he was in front of them feeling ''humble, but resolute.''