Macron to make rare speech to French parliament at Versailles
The move has sparked some controversy, with opposition MPs branding the address as the exercise of a monarch.
French president Emmanuel Macron is convening both houses of the French parliament to review his first year in office and lay out his plans for the next four.
Some of the more than 900 MPs are boycotting the speech at the Palace of Versailles, criticising it as the exercise of a monarch.
Mr Macron’s address comes as his popularity dips in the polls.
He had promised an annual accounting to parliament, but some, notably far-left MPs, said the sumptuous setting – with no chance for a response – does a disservice to democracy.
Mr Macron is expected to concentrate on his programme for economic and social reforms.
But far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told Europe 1 radio that “we are convoked to admire the splendor of Macron the First”.
