Macron

I agree though about the intellectual achievements. There is still a lot of respect here for intelligence, serious debate, learning and expertise, isn't there? I think the idea of "voting with your instincts" which we heard about during the Brexit debate, would be anathema here (and quite rightly imo).

Have yet to read it all but the Guardian today have an article as to how he calmed the Whirlpool workers after Marine LePen gad whipped them up - on purpose obviously as he had his visit planned and she did not.

It is also because the privacy laws are much stricter Tricia.

welshwife - I've noticed that about french newspapers too -they tend to avoid comments about people's private life. Much more laid back about it, not as fascinated by it as the UK
And I get the impression that they're impressed more with Macron's intellectual ability and professional achievements.
"Born in Amiens, he studied Philosophy at Paris Nanterre University, completed a Master's of Public Affairs at Sciences Po, and graduated from the École nationale d'administration (ENA) in 2004. He worked as an Inspector of Finances in the Inspectorate General of Finances (IGF) and then became an investment banker at Rothschild & Cie Banque."

I have two friends who are very happily married to much younger men .

Trump has much younger wife and nothing seems to be mentioned in the press regarding the age gap.

Very pro EU. Wants to open up France to business and reduce the bureacracy around small businesses (sorely needed). Centrist, left wing on social issues, more to the right on the economy.
The Whirlpool visit started with anger against him, but after he had spoken to the workers they lined up to shake his hand (strangely this does not seem to have been widely reported in the British media).
His private life is not much commented on in France, where the political bit is considered more important.
The problems will be around forming a government after the June parliamentary elections as he does not have an established political party.
I had a long political discussion with the U3A English class that I teach today and they were broadly hopeful, but concerned that he would find reform difficult if the new parliament is not supportive.

But it was in France. Funny thing is I have not seen anything in the French news about the age difference - just the UK ones.
He is going for money to primary education and all phones etc banned during the school day!
Limit size of primary classes - to 12 per teacher. In priority zones.
Libraries open more - weekends and evenings
Increasing police numbers (and Gendarmes)
I have not seen anything yet I would disagree with in his manifesto -

His manifesto was the only one our postlady put in our box!!

There was a piece in the Conservative Woman praising Marine Le Pen and saying she would be good for France.
Macron is very pro EU?

To me, seems the same as a man having a wife 24 yrs younger to him

There is a picture of him at 15 kissing his 40 year old teacher.

If it was a 40 year old teacher here kissing his or her pupil he or she would probably be sacked and prosecuted.

I certainly wouldn't say no !!

Why ninny ? if it was the other way round you would not find it strange.

Funny you should mention cake as Macron's wife's family made their fortune selling macaroons! They are clearly made for each other!

I find it strange why would a young man want a women 24 years older than him.

All I know from what I read is that he's certainly more right wing than left.

He is a bit of a dish!

greyd and nicd

Much nicer on the eye than Monsieur Hollande. Bet he doesn't spend a fortune on a hairdresser doing a comb-over. Are his policies any good, not got round to reading about them yet.

I was sure it was a raincoat.

He has lovely blue eyes but he won't be buying a Whirlpool washing machine any time soon.

With coconut and a cherry on the top.

I thought it was a cake!!

I thought macron was a type of language!