President Emmanuel Macron is set to install his current Finance Minister, Amélie de Montchalin, as the next president of France’s Court of Auditors. The decision, confirmed for Wednesday by the cabinet, will make Montchalin the first woman to lead the two‑century‑old institution.
The move has triggered a chorus of criticism from across the political spectrum. Members of La France Insoumise, the National Rally, the Socialist Party and even allies in the centre‑right Les Républicains have accused the government of violating the ethical charter that demands neutrality, independence and the avoidance of any conflict of interest.
Opposition argues a clear conflict of interest
Eric Coquerel (LFI), who chairs the Finance Committee, argued that Montchalin’s current role overseeing public accounts makes her ineligible to head the audit court. “The charter requires impartiality and the prevention of conflicts of interest. In her present position, those standards are not met,” he said during a parliamentary hearing.
Similar concerns were voiced by RN deputy Yoann Gillet, who warned that Montchalin would be “judge and party at the same time,” and Socialist MP Marietta Karamanli, who feared the court’s ethical code could be undermined.
Historical precedent and political context
Since the early 2000s, the presidency of the Court of Auditors has traditionally been filled by figures from opposition parties, a practice intended to safeguard the body’s independence. Critics argue that Macron’s choice reflects a broader pattern of placing loyalists in key institutions, recalling the 2025 appointment of Richard Ferrand to the Constitutional Council.
Les Républicains released a statement calling the decision “the transformation of a watchdog into an annex of the executive.” Ecologist leader Marine Tondelier dismissed the appointment as “pure princely favouritism,” while Socialist deputy Arthur Delaporte warned that weakening the court “undermines the Republic itself.”
Government defends the nomination
Finance Minister Roland Lescure defended Montchalin, saying she will bring “fresh energy” to the Court of Auditors and that her leadership will remain fully independent. Government spokesperson Maud Bregéon emphasized the collegial nature of the court’s decisions and celebrated the historic appointment of a woman to the role.
Despite these assurances, concerns linger about Montchalin’s age. At 46, she would be eligible to serve until the mandatory retirement age of 68, potentially making her tenure one of the longest in recent memory.
The controversy highlights a growing tension in French politics between the president’s prerogative to name trusted allies and the institutional safeguards designed to keep powerful bodies impartial.