Emmanuel Macron’s charm offensive

By Sophie Pedder

The president of France is squashed hip to hip with local officials on a low sofa upholstered in a Moroccan-style motif. Before him, on a small table, is a platter of pâtisseries. The airless room is filled with riotous chatter. A woman fans herself in the corner. “Shhhhh! A bit of quiet!” calls an organiser. “Let him speak!” The buzz doesn’t stop.

Emmanuel Macron has come to a housing estate in the crime-troubled northern suburbs of Marseille to speak to community workers. “Merci beaucoup, merci,” he begins, edging forward on his cushion. But the brouhaha continues. An appeal goes out again: “Shhhh, allez, let the president speak!”