Does the appointment of the new Minister of Health pose a risk of conflict of interest? Aurélien Rousseau, former director of the cabinet of Élisabeth Borne, was appointed to replace François Braun at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Thursday July 20, 2023. This enarque (promo Willy-Brandt) led the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Île de France from 2018 to 2021 and had to manage the Covid-19 crisis.
On his Twitter account, Aurélien Rousseau is delighted: “Proud to join a great ministry whose commitment and determination I know to ensure access to healthcare for all”he wrote.
His companion, Marguerite Cazeneuve, has been the number two of Health Insurance since March 2021. A position that questions the risk of conflict of interest.
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The General Secretariat of the Government issues a favorable opinion
Friday July 21, the day after the announcement of the appointment of Aurélien Rousseau, the General Secretariat of the Government (SGG) estimated, in a note quoted by the National Health Insurance Fund, that Marguerite Cazeneuve could keep her post, but recommends a “deportation” of the new Minister of Health for decisions concerning her.
“The impartiality requirements that apply to members of the government in no way prevent the spouse of the deputy director of the CNAM from being Minister of Health”, writes the SGG. But he will have to “clarify to the Prime Minister that he withdraws from any decision which would concern the personal situation of his spouse within the CNAM”.
The HATVP will decide “in the coming days”
The note specifies that the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP), an independent administrative authority composed of twelve members and a president, “will decide in the coming days on the possible deportation mechanisms to be put in place by the new minister”. Requested, the HATVP has not yet set a date to deliver its opinion.
Olivier Véran denies any conflict of interest
Olivier Véran, reappointed to his post as government spokesperson, spoke on this subject. After the council of new ministers, during a press conference, he affirms that the situation “is very far from the suspicion of conflict of interest” and remember that “the wife of the Minister of Health works in the public sector”.
On France 2the government spokesperson stated that: “The only question concerns the maintenance of functions and we have a High Authority for the transparency of public life, an independent authority, which will have to rule”adding that he “don’t consider having shared your life with someone who has the same professional passion as you and who knows health policy very well to be a problem”.
This is not the first time that members of governments find themselves in a similar situation. Before the reshuffle, they were 16 to be concerned.