Macron Becomes Deputy Secretary-General of Élysée

Emmanuel Macron assumed the role of deputy secretary-general of the Élysée, which is a senior position within the staff of President François Hollande. In this capacity, he worked alongside Nicolas Revel and reported to the secretary-general, Pierre-René Lemas. Macron's tenure in this role was marked by his involvement in key policy discussions and proposals aimed at reforming labor laws and taxation. Notably, he proposed an increase in the standard work week from 35 hours to 37 hours, a move intended to address labor market flexibility and productivity. This proposal was part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth and was aimed at balancing the needs of workers with the demands of employers. However, Macron's suggestions faced resistance, particularly from Hollande, who was committed to implementing significant tax increases on high earners as part of his economic policy agenda. The tension between Macron's proposals and the government's direction highlighted the challenges of navigating economic reform within a political framework that prioritized fiscal responsibility and social equity.