U.S. President Donald Trump met his match in a handshake showdown with Macron. At their first meeting, soon after Macron’s election ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels, the two men locked hands for so long that knuckles started turning white. The French leader held the shake for a few seconds more. Both men’s jaws seemed to clench.
French President Emmanuel Macron has formally announced that he will seek a second term in April’s presidential election, AP reports.
Elected in May 2017, with little political experience, the centrist politician quickly took on his new role of president when meeting with other world leaders. He faced major crises at home and in the world. A look at some key moments in his term.
VICTORY PARTY AT LE LOUVRE
Moments after his 2017 victory, the 39-year-old Macron slowly walked to the stage in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris, progressively appearing in the light to the sound of the European anthem “Ode to Joy” — a very symbolic moment before the crowd of supporters roared.
France’s new president sought to adopt the attitude expected of a statesman — a new world for a man who long remained in the shadows.
HANDSHAKE SHOWDOWN WITH TRUMP
Macron later said the handshake was “a moment of truth” — designed to show that he’s no pushover.
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