2024-02-22 16:22:02
Philippe Josse, then budget director, in Paris, September 16, 2009. ERIC PIERMONT / AFP
Emmanuel Macron is very attentive to the choice of personalities who are called to exercise important responsibilities in the highest institutions of our country. In the sieving process, he wants to make his mark and recall the extent of his prerogatives, even if it means – sometimes – shaking up well-established practices. This has just been demonstrated with the recent appointment of the president of the finance section of the Council of State.
As revealed The letter, the magistrates of the Palais-Royal had recommended three names to the head of state, the first on the list – Rémy Schwartz – being their preference. It was ultimately the one who appeared in the second row – Philippe Josse – who was selected, at the request of the tenant of the Elysée. The arbitration was formalized during the council of ministers on February 14. Very unusual, Mr. Macron’s decision caused astonishment, even criticism, among the members of this essential body of the Republic.
The ritual is well established. For a presidency of an administrative section (responsible for rendering opinions, like that of finance), the executive is generally proposed three names by the office of the Council of State, which brings together the most senior magistrates of the Palais Royal. Regarding the litigation section (which decides disputes between the administration and individuals), only one name is submitted to the power in place.
Some exceptions
Since the Liberation, a practice has gradually become established, which consists of appointing section president the first on the list presented by the Council of State. This custom has always been respected, with a few exceptions. Examples: Christian Vigouroux, whose candidacy for an administrative section had been rejected under the five-year term of Nicolas Sarkozy, and Guy Braibant, who suffered the same fate for the litigation section during the first mandate of François Mitterrand.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Didier Tabuteau, a surprise appointment at the head of the Council of State
Add to your selections
For Mr. Vigouroux, it is possible that his companionship with the left worked against him. That being said, in 2009, Mr. Sarkozy had also proven that he could select contenders from a side other than his own, by appointing Olivier Schrameck as president of a section, while the latter had been director of the cabinet of the socialist Lionel Jospin in Matignon (1997-2002).
As for Mr. Braibant, The world said that the possible promotion of this former member of the French Communist Party had aroused opposition at the Palais-Royal, to which Mr. Mitterrand would have given in. It also seems, according to our information, that the office was, at the time, very hesitant and that the choice of the executive, in 1985, was aligned with the personal preference of the vice-president of the Council of State at the time. in office, Pierre Nicolaÿ.
You have 47.01% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
#choice #Emmanuel #Macron #contrary #custom #surprises #internally