Macron's wife urges France to 'have faith' as approval ratings drop

France's first lady has urged the country to "have faith" in her husband Emmanuel as his approval ratings collapsed to 40% ahead of a crunch week for the new President.

Brigitte Macron's comments came just two days before Mr Macron's government was to unveil the details of crucial labour reforms to unions.

At the couple's country home in the northern seaside resort of Le Touquet, Mrs Macron, 64, was asked whether she had a message for her compatriots for la rentre – the French term for the return to school and work after the long summer break.

"They must have faith," she told BFM TV.

"I tell them that my husband is doing everything to ensure that [la rentre] takes place as best as possible."

'More forceful'

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has reportedly also appealed for people to give Macron more time, saying it was "too early to make appraisals".

Aware that his lofty style has started to grate on the French, Macron, 39, has promised to talk to the nation once or twice a month.

On Tuesday he named a new spokesman for the Elysee Palace, journalist Bruno Roger-Petit.

At a gathering of French diplomats, his relatively inexperienced cabinet was urged to be more forceful in defending his reforms and countering claims that his presidency is more spin than substance.

Since taking office in May, France's youngest leader since Napoleon has won plaudits in handling tricky leaders from US President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But the French are expressing scepticism over his reforms, and displeasure at austerity measures as his government seeks to honour state deficit commitments.

His labour reform proposal, a sticking point for millions of workers ready to go back to the streets in protest, is due on Thursday.