• Profile.Delevoye, the French pension negotiator
  • France. Protest against pension reform on a "black" Tuesday in transport

The high commissioner for retirement, who "forgot" to detail his other ten activities, including two paid ones, resigns in his declaration of interests. Jean Paul Delevoye , personally chosen by President Emmanuel Macron , a key part of the dialogue with the unions, leaves at the critical moment for the Government, on the eve of another day of mass mobilizations.

Delevoye was a veteran of politics. It seems incredible that he was able to commit such a mischief . At 72, this social gaullist who jumped on the road to the victorious campaign of Macron had been chosen for his experience (he was the brain of the 2003 reform when he was minister during the presidency of Jacques Chirac ) and for his ability to dialogue with unions. An ideal man for an emblematic reform of Macron's mandate.

Appointed high commissioner for retirement in September 2017, his status changed on September 3 when he formally entered the cabinet headed by Edouard Philippe , with the status of delegated minister.

A week ago, Le Parisien revealed that he was part of the board of directors of the Training Institute of the Insurer profession, closely related to the French Insurance Federation. "It was a mistake, I admit it. I almost don't go there . I don't know anything about the training of insurers. I promote education, culture." As it was not a paid position and resigned that same afternoon, it seemed a minor matter.

Then he said that when he promoted the minister he did not pay the same attention as in his first statement. The problem is that it was not just a forgetfulness. Delevoye ended up declaring thirteen charges instead of the three he entered. Too much 'forgetfulness'.

"Weigh" by Macron

Among them, two paid. For one of them, to preside over a think tank on education, Parallaxe, charged 5,368, 38 euros per month. To add to his ministerial salary of 10,135 euros gross per month. He apologized again, said no one warned him that this was not allowed. The 2013 law prohibits "all public employment or professional activity" to members of the Government. And promised to return the money.

This time it did not slip. The body before which the declarations of interests are presented, the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life , was going to decide next Wednesday if it took the case to Justice. In parallel, the Paris prosecutor had addressed the agency demanding information.

The unions, which in the first 'oblivion' reacted with temperance, went for him. The left parties, too. The extreme right was not far behind. Hunting a piece of that caliber (it was going to be he who defended the law in the Assembly) does not happen every day. The government defended him on the grounds that he had not acted in bad faith, had recognized the errors and returned the incompatible money. Too much ignorance, doubtful absence of evil, late reparation.

Finally, today at noon, Le Monde has advanced his resignation, confirmed shortly thereafter by Elíseo. Macron accepted it "with regret" and promises a quick replacement.

The fall of Delevoye occurs on the 12th day of the transport strike, on the eve of a day of intersectoral mobilization that must take place in large demonstrations and when the Government and the unions argue about who will be the culprit if there are no trains at Christmas.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Paris
  • France

FranceDelevoye, the French pension negotiator who did not mention collaborating with insurers

Retirement Elíseo maintains its pulse with the unions for retirement (with nuances)

FranceThe strike that paralyzes France, in 7 questions