Frenchman Emmanuel Macron has been ridiculed for his “Zelensky-style war room” photo shoot. But as these photos show, this is not the first time Macron has attracted other world leaders for his photo shoots.
Whether it’s a presidential motorcade or a charity football game, there are countless examples of Mr Macron clearly borrowing plays from other world leaders to build his own public image.
During the 2017 French presidential election, Mr Macron celebrated his victory in the first round of voting by throwing up his hands in a “V for victory” sign… Sir Winston Churchill celebrated this gesture some 80 years ago.
During a visit to the Vatican the following year, Mr Macron shared a joke with Pope Francis in a light-hearted moment that recalled President Obama’s widely photographed audience four years earlier.
Theresa May, George W. Bush and even Boris Johnson also seem to have inspired Macron during his nearly five years in office (he is up for re-election next month).
In one recent photograph, Macron rubs his furrowed brow with his eyes closed, in a manner reminiscent of President John F. Kennedy’s desperate body language during a tense telephone conversation in the early 1960s.
However, there is no clearer example than the “War Room” album. The seemingly “candid shots” (taken by his official photographer) show the unshaven president working in the stately surroundings of the Élysée Palace in dark jeans and a black French special forces sweatshirt, an outfit that has been described as a “hacker suite.”
Ukraine’s President Zelensky, who due to wartime necessities, has ditched his tailored presidential suits in favor of practical khaki casual suits as he coordinates his country’s response to the wartime invasion.
The bizarre images have led to accusations that he is trying to emulate the same popularity enjoyed by Zelenskiy, who just today spoke to the Canadian Parliament via video link.
Macron (left) is hard to recognize, his baggy black hoodie in stark contrast to his favorite slim navy blue jacket. He is known as a stylish designer, and almost every image of him published by the world’s media and his professional photographer shows the world leader in a suit and boots. That’s right, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has spent the past three weeks in simple khaki sweatshirts and T-shirts coordinating his country’s defense. Some believe that Macron noticed the incredible wave of support for Zelensky and imitated his style. But who else inspired the French leader?
Warm hugs: Macron welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a hug upon his arrival at Chantilly Castle near Paris in 2019. Perhaps he sought to show that he got along with the visiting politician in the same way as his predecessor, François Hollande. , who was similarly greeted by Modi at the Rock Garden in Chandigarh in January 2016. However, Macron, known for his tactile nature, appears more comfortable in this intimate form of greeting.
Friends with Francis! When President Macron was invited to the Vatican in 2018, he joked with the Pope as he exchanged gifts in a carefree moment that recalled President Obama’s hilarious private audience in 2014. Obama enjoyed a 52-minute meeting with the Pope, almost double the duration of the Pontiff’s meeting with Trump
Demonstration through the streets: newly elected French President Macron waves his hand during the parade in a military vehicle on the Champs Elysees after the official inauguration ceremony in May 2017. Pomp and ceremony are traditional for the newly elected presidents of France. Above, President Charles de Gaulle makes the same trip in an open-top car in 1968.
Kiss for mommy! President Macron maintained warm relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who left her post last year. In 2018, the Chancellor greeted the President of France with a kiss when she welcomed him to Berlin ahead of talks at the Humboldt Forum at the Berlin Palace. He is far from the only leader to greet Ms Merkel so affectionately. In 2006, shortly after Ms. Merkel took office, a visiting George W. Bush kissed the German Chancellor on the cheek.
Touchy-sensual: US President Donald Trump took Macron’s hand as they touted their growing relationship during a 2018 visit to the White House. The tactile couple made headlines with their touching interaction as Macron placed his hand on Trump’s Knee at one point. During a separate meeting, they had an unusual 30-second handshake that some saw as Trump’s power move. But the French president is not the only one who has experienced a warm welcome. In January 2017, Trump appeared to extend his hand to Theresa May when the British Prime Minister paid a visit to Washington.
V stands for victory: On the campaign trail for the 2017 election, Macron celebrated his victory in the first round by raising his hands in a “V stands for victory” salute. Just three weeks later, the young politician was elected president. The symbol is by far the most closely associated with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and World War II. Although it all started with a simple radio transmission, this symbol conquered Europe and became a symbol of unity for those under occupation. Right: Churchill greets photographers in Downing Street in 1943 with his signature gesture.
Politicians play sports too! In October 2011, Mr. Macron took part in a match marking the 50th anniversary of the Variety Club de France, a team that brings together members of the media as well as famous former football players. Swapping out your dress shoes for a pair of sneakers and playing in a match, politicians are sometimes used to show they stay down to earth and aren’t afraid to look a little silly…as was the case when Boris Johnson played a Red Cross charity match in Reaying in 2006 .
Favorite photo shoot: VIPs visiting India can’t resist scheduling a stop at the Taj Mahal to take a photo with the landmark in the background. President Macron was no exception and posed for photographers during his visit in March 2018. Among the world leaders who were photographed in almost the same place were George W. Bush and his wife Barbara in 1986. At the time, Mr. Bush was vice president under Ronald Reagan, who succeeded him as president in 1989, three years after the photo was taken.
Tense discussions: Difficult phone calls and unsolvable problems are part and parcel of a president’s life. In February, the French government released this photo of Macron (taken by the official photographer) after talking to Putin. Office photos like this have been used throughout history to show the “human” side of leadership. Right, John F. Kennedy during a conversation with the USSR in the 1960s.