190,000 sign petition against plan to introduce first lady status in France
A total of 190,000 people have signed a petition opposing the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron to create an official first lady status for his wife, Brigitte Macron.
The online petition was published on the change.org platform and created by Thierry Paul Valette, the founder of the “national equality” movement.
The organisation says it aims to combat corruption and discrimination.
The petition specifies that, if enacted, the special status would allow the first lady benefit from the French budget.
Having an office, staff and an allowance from the public purse are examples of some such benefits.
During his presidential campaign, Macron, who took office in May, said he wanted to create the position for his wife in order to clarify her status, promising that no public funds would be used to pay her.
Nigeria currently has no office of the first lady.
Although the office had been in existence up to the time of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari scrapped it off when he assumed duty in 2015.
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