France budgets €2.3 million for Macron’s post-presidency office
The proposed allocation includes six years of rent, service charges and security, although Macron appears not yet to have selected premises.
A parliamentary report puts the proposed funding for French President Emmanuel Macron’s future office arrangements at €2.3 million. The provision forms part of France’s draft budget, which parliament is debating ahead of his departure from the presidency.
It would finance a move to furnished offices as well as rent, security and service charges over six years. Macron appears still to be looking for premises. The Élysée described the funding as a precaution informed by the experience of earlier presidents.
Office accommodation is among the lifetime entitlements available to former French presidents, alongside a pension, police protection and a chauffeur. Their staffing entitlement allows up to seven employees during the initial five years after their presidency, falling to three afterwards.
The arrangements currently benefit Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, the only living former presidents. Hollande retains them despite having become a lawmaker again. He said his presidential pension amounts to €5,000 a month, in addition to pensions from earlier positions and his current earnings.
Macron has promised to forgo his presidential pension and will leave the presidency aged 49. France’s constitution rules out a third successive presidential term, but he could stand again after his successor takes office. He has left that possibility open.
