The enigma Stéphane Séjourné, celebration chief on the sidelines of the European battle | EUROtoday

It didn't take lengthy. Barely leaving the workplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in kyiv on January 13, the cellphone of Stéphane Séjourné, appointed Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs two days earlier than, rang. “So, what did he tell you?” », asks Emmanuel Macron from the Elysée. Shadow of the French president on the worldwide scene, this son of expatriates, who spent his youth between Mexico, Spain and Argentina, “in the place he always dreamed of”, stated a minister smiling. A bit overwhelming although. When he crosses the portrait gallery of the ministry, the figures of two of his predecessors, Léon Blum and Pierre Mendès France, impress him greater than another. By inscribing his identify on this lineage, he should“be up to the task”, entrust to World the youngest overseas minister of the V^e Republic, 38 years outdated on the day of his appointment.

Ironically, the person who needed to be a pilot at 16 – he has his license – spends a big a part of his time within the Falcons of the Republic, as a result of, he says, “you have to know how to jump on a plane, in a very opportunistic way.” And to cite his American counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as a ” expert “ on this matter. Between overseas ministers, “we communicate directly by messaging, without diplomatic or intermediary notes”boasts Stéphane Séjourné.

Discreet within the European marketing campaign, the minister and head of the presidential celebration is especially within the distribution of posts in Brussels after June 9. He is engaged on the development of the longer term institutional Meccano, with a purpose to suggest to the Head of State a sure variety of situations for “top jobs”. To cross “deals” in overseas capitals, he has the boldness of Emmanuel Macron, who says of him that he’s “transactional”. “For him, politics is strategy”, approves a former deputy of La République en marche. While Clément Beaune, former Minister Delegate for Europe, defines it as “a macronist who loves devices”. Suffice it to say, a uncommon case.

“A shy ambitious man”

Uncomfortable in public, the brand new head of French diplomacy shuns social life. Invited to the state dinner given in honor of France on the royal palace in Stockholm, on the finish of January, by the king and queen of Sweden, the place tailcoats and bow ties have been required, the previous scholar unionist declined, whereas different ministers pushed themselves. ” You're humorous !, was stunned Emmanuel Macron, who has identified him for ten years. The others rush, and also you don’t…? » “Stéphane is a shy bold man, confides one in all his former comrades. He is afraid of the sunshine, however it attracts him. »

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