Rivals say Macron is using EU as springboard for French vote

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to make the European Union more powerful as his country holds the bloc’s presidency for six months

STRASBOURG, France -- French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to make the European Union more powerful as his country holds the bloc's presidency for six months — yet he has been accused by rivals and critics of using the position as a springboard toward a reelection bid.

Macron spoke at length Wednesday to European lawmakers in Strasbourg, detailing France's priorities for the six-month rotating presidency of the bloc.

His remarks were closely watched at home as the period overlaps with France's presidential election on April 10. Macron, a pro-European, pro-business centrist, is expected to run for a second term and polls put him as the front-runner.

France’s presidency of the EU provides a possible platform for his campaign, a point that came under criticism from French opposition members.