On May 18, 2017, shortly after his election, Emmanuel Macron, France’s new president selected his cabinet of 11 men and 11 women. I want to highlight this event, because this is an example equal representation in government. In a speech made January, Macron noted “Women currently represent 53 percent of the electoral body, so it’s unacceptable that they make up less than 30 percent of those elected to the National Assembly” (Huffington Post). In this speech, Macron vowed that his new party, “En Marche!” would respect gender equality. In addition to gender equality, Macron considered appointing individuals both known and unknown and across France’s political spectrum. Through my research, I found that he seems to favor expertise over politics or gender.
Brief profiles of five of the women in his cabinet are listed are featured below. Unfortunately, I was not able to find good information everyone to write a solid profile.
Sylvie Goulard, Minister of the Armed Forces
As the Armed Forces Minister, Goulard is highest ranking woman in the French government. She was already apart of Macron’s foreign affairs team. Since 2009, she has worked as a Member of the European Parliament serving on several committees. In addition, Goulard’s experience includes working as a diplomat in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a political advisor, and is an author of few books including Goodbye Europe (2016).
Goulard can be found on Twitter @GoulardSylvie and on her personal website.
Agnes Buzyn, Minister of Solidarity and Health
Well known in the health industry, Agnes Buzyn is a specialist in hematology and bone marrow transplantation and served as the head of the Adult Hematology and marrow Transplant Intensive Care Unit at Necker Hospital in Paris. She has served in several science policy positions with the most notable being President of the National Cancer Institution (INCa). A notable fact about Buzyn is she that is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
Francoise Nyssen, Minister of Culture
Originally born in Belgium, Francoise Nyssen studied molecular biology and urbanism. She worked for the Belgian government doing urban planning before she moved to France. She joined the publishing house, Actes Sude. Nyssen has a strong interest in writing, theater and music and is a founding member of the Mejan Cultural Association, an organization that organizes concerts, exhibitions, and literary and cinema meetings at the Passage du Mejan in Arles.
Laura Flessel-Colovic, Minister of Sports
Laura Flessel-Colovic is a fencer who represented France in the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games. Flessel-Colovic is notably won Olympic metals: two Gold in Atlanta in 1996, Bronze in Sydney 2000, and Bronze and Silver in Athens 2004. Additionally, she has won several medals from European and World Fencing Championships.
Flessel-Colovic can be found on Twitter @FlesselLaura and on Facebook.
Frederique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation
Frederique Vidal graduated with a Master’s in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Life Science from the University of Nice and a DEA from the Institute Pasteur. Vidal spent the majority of her career in higher education and became the President of University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in 2012. Her appointment means that France will have a dedicated research and higher education ministry once more.
Other Women in the Macron’s Cabinet and Office:
- Muriel Penicaud, Minister of Labor
- Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State in Charge of People with Disabilities
- Annick Girardin, Minister of Overseas Territories
- Elisabeth Borne, Minister in charge of Transport
- Marielle de Sarnez, Minister in charge of European Affairs
- Marlene Schiappa, Secretary of State in charge of Equality between Women and Men
- Sibeth Ndiaye, Press Relations
Works Cited
Adamson, Thomas. “Women Make up Half of Macron’s New Cabinet.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 18 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
BBC. “Macron: Who’s Who in the French President’s Team?” BBC News. BBC, 17 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
European Fencing Confederation. “Hot News from France.” Eurofencing.info. European Fencing Confederation, 2010. Web. 22 May 2017.
Frej, Willa. “France’s New President Just Displayed His Commitment To Gender Equality.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 12 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
Goulard, Sylvie. “Biographie Sylvie Goulard.” Sylvie Goulard. Sylvie Goulard, 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
International Olympic Committee. “Laura Flessel-Colovic.” International Olympic Committee. International Olympic Committee, 18 June 2016. Web. 22 May 2017.
Jouan, Anne. “Agnès Buzyn, Une Médecin Devient Ministre De La Santé .” Santé. Société Du Figaro, 19 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
Pain, Elisabeth. “Two Female Scientists and a Militant Environmentalist Join Emmanuel Macron’s New Government.” Science | AAAS. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 19 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
Rubin, Alissa J. “Macron’s Cabinet Gives Glimpse of How He Plans to Govern France.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
Tarlé, Sophie De. “Qui Est Frédérique Vidal, La Nouvelle Ministre De L’Enseignement Supérieur.” Figaro Étudiant. Le Figaro, 17 May 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.
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