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Clément Beaune detests tardiness. Therefore, at the age of 40, the Minister of State for European Affairs is always on the go. On Christmas Eve, he dashed between offices within the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PFUE) secretariat, near the Quai d’Orsay. An aide audibly announced the remaining time for each meeting, in five-minute intervals.
Maintaining his cheerful demeanor, the man in his forties exchanged quick greetings with the sixty officials, communication specialists, and interpreters who spent a year preparing for the EU’s rotating presidency. “I hope you all get some downtime during the holidays, as there’s a chance of overwork afterward,” the minister quipped, eliciting laughter. An advisor mentioned the minister’s aversion to the term “vacation,” recalling Christmas 2020 when the entire ministerial team remained connected to London and Brussels for final Brexit negotiations.
The Diplomat’s Multifaceted Role
The Minister of State will likely have limited opportunities for relaxation in the first half of 2022. For six months, Paris will guide proceedings in Brussels, overseeing hundreds of European meetings and several summits. Clément Beaune will act as the lead, furthering Emmanuel Macron‘s ambitious European agenda. However, Brussels won’t be his sole focus; this Parisian native also seeks to leave his mark on the presidential election.
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Is this an excessive workload? “Beaune must champion France within Europe, Europe within France, and Macron’s campaign to the French,” stated Yves Bertoncini, president of the European Movement – France (a pro-European association) and the minister’s former professor at Sciences Po. This involves numerous responsibilities. By juggling domestic political battles, the diplomat risks being distracted from the EU presidency, which demands constant attention.
For a considerable time, Clément Beaune operated behind the scenes. A graduate of the ENA and the prestigious College of Europe in Bruges, he served in various ministries as an advisor starting in 2009, initially at the Budget Ministry, then at Matignon, before joining Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée in 2017. Close to the Head of State, he received several government offers but had to wait until July 2020 for the European Affairs portfolio.
During a National Assembly session, he skillfully deflected criticism aimed at him by National Assembly representative Sébastien Chenu regarding the European recovery initiative. “In that instant, he astounded everyone; it became clear he was destined for this,” recalls a close associate. The high-ranking official transformed into a seasoned political operative, adept at engaging his adversaries and consistently accessible to the press corps. “Public discussion about Europe, particularly in France, presents challenges,” he notes. “Yet, the EU is integral to daily French life; fostering public engagement is a matter of fundamental democratic practice.”
Within pro-European think tanks, Beaune’s appointment is met with widespread approval. “Macron has selected a Secretary of State whose European aspirations align with his own,” remarks Yves Bertoncini. His command of the issues and negotiating prowess have garnered universal praise. “He’s the most effective we’ve seen in this role in two decades,” asserts Olivier Costa, a CNRS research director. “Typically, this position is occupied by individuals with little European policy experience, but Clément avoids the common pitfalls of French diplomats who approach neighboring countries with a heavy-handed approach.” Many think tanks address the minister by his given name and interact with him openly..
Beaune is a master networker, cultivating relationships both internationally—where he built Emmanuel Macron’s European network—and within France’s power structures. He collaborates closely on this PFUE with Alexandre Adam, the president’s European advisor and a friend of almost twenty years. Their friendship began at the College of Europe during a Eurovision Song Contest event, a competition the minister considers himself a devoted follower of.
A Six-Month Push for European Progress
To ensure the PFUE’s success, the Secretary of State embarked on a tour of 26 European capitals, concluding in Belgrade at the end of December. He also established a committee of independent experts and compiled the views of 1000 randomly selected French citizens on the future of Europe. “This presidency is meticulously planned,” Clément Beaune explains. “For four years, we’ve striven to advance various issues we’re now addressing, from the European minimum wage to the regulation of major digital platforms. The PFUE will ‘accelerate progress on some matters and provide definitive solutions for others’,” he anticipates.
Alongside this demanding European agenda, the young minister is expected to play a key role within the presidential majority in the upcoming election. While initially considered for campaign manager, he will assume a supportive position, aligning himself with the left wing of LREM. “The timing of the PFUE and the presidential election will elevate European issues to the forefront of the Elysee Palace race,” believes Thierry Chopin, a special advisor to the Jacques Delors Institute. “The European question is fundamentally integral to Macron’s political identity, and Clément Beaune will embody this aspect throughout the campaign.”
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The Secretary of State, never popularly elected, is slated for a first-round vote in the upcoming June legislative elections. This event fuels his future political aspirations and significantly shapes his agenda for 2022.
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