After weeks of protests against his decision to raise the minimum pension age by two years, Macron's popularity ratings have plunged to near record-low levels.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said Europe must resist reducing ties with China and reject what some have cast as an "inescapable spiral" of tension between China and the West.
By using special constitutional powers instead of risking lawmakers rejecting the reform, Macron has given ammunition to the opposition.
The U.S. leader has so far resisted talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion was launched in February, while the France's Macron has kept lines of communication open.
Russia supplied 40% of Europe's gas before its invasion of Ukraine. Now the region is scrambling to diversify its energy sources.
Winning next month's legislative election may be a long shot for France's new hard-left alliance, but the fact President Emmanuel Macron now faces two euroskeptic opposition blocs should cause concern among France's European Union partners.
The president's second term could be even rockier than the first with mounting political opposition and boiling social discontent.
Although Le Pen came across as more polished and composed than in a TV duel for the presidency in 2017, Macron went on the offensive over her ties to Russian leadership.
Macron's abrasive style and willingness to go it alone indicate he'll struggle to fill Merkel's EU shoes, say senior diplomats.
Approval delays could allow rival vaccine-makers to sew up key markets.
