French president Emmanuel Macron tests positive for coronavirus

World

France’s president Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for coronavirus, his office has said.

The Elysee Palace said he was tested after showing early symptoms.

He will now isolate for seven days but will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban next to Poland's PM Mateusz Morawiecki, Austria's chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Greece's PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis during an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium
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Mr Macron speaks with Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban next to Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki, Austria’s chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Greece’s PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis during an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on 10 December

The brief statement did not give details of the symptoms the French president was experiencing.

“He will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance,” it added.

Mr Macron was due to visit Lebanon next week on 22 December. The trip has now been cancelled, a spokeswoman said.

It was not immediately clear what contact tracing efforts were in progress, but palace officials added he was trying to assess where he may have contracted the virus.

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Mr Macron met with the prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, on Wednesday. There was no immediate comment from Portuguese officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace in Paris during his official visit to France
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French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace in Paris during his official visit to France last week

The French president was among EU leaders and delegates at a European Council heads of state meeting at the end of last week in Brussels, Belgium, between 10 and 11 December.

The diagnosis also comes nine days after a state visit to Paris by Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

During the two-day trip, Mr Macron presented his Egyptian counterpart with the Legion of Honour – the highest French award.

France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex will also self isolate after coming into contact with Mr Macron over the last few days, said Gerard Larcher, head of the Senate, the upper house of the French parliament.

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