Find out what French political figures looked like in their youth
On September 5, 2024, after long weeks of waiting, the French finally discovered the name of their new prime minister. It is in fact Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old politician. Following his appointment, he took the time to form his governmentwhich includes many names unknown to the general public. Today we focus on the new Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard. Who is she?
Annie Genevard is the new Minister of Agriculture
On September 21, 2024, three weeks after his appointment to Matignon, the prime minister of Emmanuel Macron’s government, Michel Barnier, announced the names who constitute his new government. Among them, the French discovered the name of Annie Genevard, new Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. The Doubs MP, who is part of the Les Républicains party, succeeds Marc Fesneau, and becomes the third woman to occupy this position. The 68-year-old politician was vice-president of the National Assembly since July 2024. She also shares the governance of the Les Républicains party with François-Xavier Bellamy.
Annie Genevard married pharmacist Dominique Genevard on August 31, 1983, and the couple welcomed two daughters, Camille and Clémence. She is the daughter of Irène Tharin, former MP, and the daughter-in-law of Christian Genevard, former mayor of the town of Morteau, in Franche-Comté, a position she held for more than ten years, from 2002 to 2017. Before getting involved in politics, Annie Genevard was a classics professor. Thanks to her former profession, the politician was rather expected to become Minister of National Education, but it was to Agriculture that she was ultimately appointed.
A conservative figure in the Les Républicains party, Annie Genevard first opposed equal marriage, then the teaching of the Arabic language in schools. Éric Liegon, former deputy of Annie Genevard and farmer, spoke about the personality of the politician in the columns of West France. He says: “Annie Genevard is tenacious and a great worker. Above all, she does not hesitate to seek advice from farmers to help her in her decisions.“.
The new ministers are little known to the general public
While the former ministers of Gabriel Attal’s government were well-known names in politics, the new Prime Minister Michel Barnier chose to give a chance to people little-known to the general public. His decision was widely misunderstood by policy experts, who say it would be a mistake. The doctor in political science at ENS Paris-Saclay, Benjamin Morel, explained to 20 Minutes : “If you do not have ministers who are well identified with the general public, who can be recognized in a morning show for example, it could be a problem for defending government action“.
However, Benjamin Morel also recognizes the usefulness of a little-known government. Indeed, Michel Barnier could thus avoid a war of egos which would pollute the public debate. He says: “Figures that are too strong can overpower you and weaken you. Barnier did not want to have any presidential candidate in his team“. Michel Barnier himself is a very discreet figure, and the French know very little about his private life, or his past in politics. The new prime minister is not at his best. Indeed, he has already been appointed Minister four times, for the Environment, European Affairs, Foreign Affairs, then Agriculture, before becoming the famous Brexit negotiator during his mandate as a Member of the European Parliament. .
Sources used:
Gala / West France / 20 Minutes
