A petition against Brigitte Macron assuming the official status of first lady was launched three weeks ago by artist Thierry Paul Valette and has received over 230,000 signatures so far.
In France, the spouse of the president has no codified role but may have an office in the Elysee Palace, security detail and some assistants, while expected to attend official events with their partner.
During his presidential campaign, Macron insisted that his wife would not be paid by the state although she would have a role in his government and would be by his side.
France is in the midst of the crackdown on cronyism and nepotism, with the country's National Assembly in July backing the law forbidding elected officials to hire relatives. The presidential campaign was marred by the scandal around Macron's rival, Francois Fillon, The Republicans' candidate, whose wife was allegedly employed as a parliamentary assistant without doing the work.
