PARIS, May 13, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Heartened by diplomatic progress and showing a new interest in domestic politics, French President Emmanuel Macron is on Tuesday to outline the plans for the remaining two years of his mandate in a marathon television appearance.

Macron, who came to power in 2017 promising radical change for France, will step down in 2027 after serving the maximum two terms of office allowed under the constitution.

On occasion over the last year, Macron has appeared as a lame duck especially after his decision to hold snap legislative elections last summer backfired, leaving the far-right as the biggest party in parliament, giving his own party a diminished and minority presence.

But the last months have seen a newly energised Macron, boosted by successes on the international front as he uses his cordial relationship with US President Donald Trump in the search for a just peace for Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Macron is due from 1810 GMT Tuesday to appear for some two hours prime time on the TF1 channel, addressing the French people, debating high-profile figures and answering questions sent in by ordinary citizens.

Those set to put their points of view in front of Macron range from the head of the hardline CGT union Sophie Binet to Tibo Inshape, a muscular and massively followed fitness influencer.

Macron's appearance will be a chance to defend his record but also to outline what lies ahead "because there are two years left in the mandate", an person close to the president, asking not to be named, told AFP.

- 'Challenges for France' -

One possible major announcement could be a referendum, aiming at making citizens feel more involved in politics against the background of the rise of the far-right.

According to reports the referendum could take place on a single day this year but tackle multiple -- likely three -- separate questions ranging from assisted dying to screen use for the under 15s or more politically contentious issues like the budget or immigration.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said at the weekend such a poll would cost 200 million euros ($222 million) if it used paper voting or 100 million euros if carried out digitally.

In any case, the show, called "Emmanuel Macron -- the challenges for France" and presented by star anchor Gilles Bouleau, represents a new format for the president as he seeks to burnish his image.

He appeared to relish the visit this weekend by train for talks in Ukraine alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with his team condensing the voyage into a slick one-minute video on social media.

It capped a colourful few days of diplomacy for Macron, who earlier in the week hosted the leader of isolated Turkmenistan on a rare visit aborad and then Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa whose trip to France was his first to a European country since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

"Surrounded by more than 100 square meters of screens, the president will be addressed by figures from civil society, both on set and via video," TF1 said in a statement.