World Bulletin / News Desk

French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to backpedal on the issue of creating an official First Lady position for his wife amid attacks from left-wing opponents and a petition against the move, officials and reports said.

The issue has become a new political headache for Macron after an online petition against creating the role garnered more than 200,000 signatures and a poll showed a majority of French people were also opposed.

The presidency will clarify Brigitte Macron's position in the coming days, a source told AFP late on Monday, adding that there were would be no change to the constitution to create a new First Lady position.

Instead, the presidency will clarify Brigitte Macron's resources and make public the cost to the public purse, the source and the BFM news channel said. 

The new status would have seen France copy the American system of having a President and First Lady roles. Neither country has ever had a female head of state.