Emmanuel Macron has picked as his new Foreign Minister arch-Rurophile and prominent Brexit critic Stephane Sejourne, who once launched a scathing attack on former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In a surprising move, which risks alienating his own party, the French President has drafted in the leader of the Renew Europe Group – a key ally of former Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who regularly weighs in on Britain’s decision to quit the bloc.
Mr Sejourne’s appointment is also likely to send shockwaves through his political group, with one insider telling Politico it would “create a vacuum in Renew.”
In an eloquent illustration of Mr Sejourne’s close ties with Brussels, one aide said: “He insisted on having ‘Europe and foreign affairs minister’ as his job title, because forging Europe as a powerhouse will be one of his priorities.”
Commenting on his new role on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Sejourne said: “I appreciate the honour done to me today. Representing my country in the world, carrying its unique voice, its conception of human dignity, is a heavy load.”
Referring to France’s youngest ever PM, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal, appointed by Mr Macron earlier this week, he added: “I thank the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister for their trust.”
With respect to his old job, he posted: “Presiding over the @RenewEurope family has been an honour. I would like to thank the MEPs and party leaders who have trusted me over the past four years.
He added: “I will continue to serve our values and our project for a democratic, strong and prosperous Europe.”
Speaking in 2021, in the midst of a bitter dispute over the rights of French fishermen to operate in the waters surrounding Jersey Mr Sejourne suggested Brexit was a “lose-lose for everyone” – and took a swipe at Boris Johnson.
The row stemmed from the decision of the Jersey government to reject 75 French applications for fishing licence, which in turn prompting French boats to threaten to blockade the island, with Mr Johnson dispatching two Royal Navy vessels in response.
Mr Sejourne said: “You should never trust Boris Johnson, that’s the lesson I learned.”
He continued: “On all negotiation themes, it is absolutely necessary that the agreements are held by the British because otherwise we will create case law in all other sectors. Brexit is a lose-lose for everyone. British fishermen are not satisfied, French fishermen are not satisfied.
“That does not mean that negotiations do not continue with Great Britain. There is still a negotiation on 200 licences which must be granted by London.”
