Bruno Le Maire: France’s Former Economic Supremo Appointed Defence Minister

Bruno Le Maire, named France’s new defence minister on Sunday, is one of the most seasoned figures in Emmanuel Macron’s government. He served as France’s minister for the economy and public finances from 2017 to 2024, making him the longest-serving senior minister during Macron’s tenure.

Le Maire, 56, also maintains a prolific literary career, having authored over a dozen non-fiction and fiction works. His most recent novel, “Fugue americaine”, gained viral attention for a single page containing a brazenly erotic passage, leaving critics and readers intrigued at how he balances politics with writing.

In September 2024, he stepped down from his economic post, citing unprecedented pressures on France’s public finances and a desire “to breathe a different air from politics” and return to his first vocation: teaching.

However, on Sunday, he announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he had accepted President Macron’s offer to head the defence ministry.

“In the exceptional circumstances France is going through, one cannot shy away,” Le Maire stated.
“I am here to serve the French people. I am here to serve our soldiers. I will do so with the passion and determination that have always guided me in my public commitment.”

Le Maire is a protégé of Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and began his political career in Sarkozy’s right-wing government as Minister of Agriculture.

He joined Macron’s centrist government in 2017 after leaving the Republicans, whose nomination he had sought unsuccessfully in the 2017 presidential race. Critics, including former colleagues on the right, accused him of opportunism, especially given that he had previously labelled Macron as a “man without a project because he is a man without convictions”.

Despite initial scepticism, Le Maire quickly settled into his role, often reassuring the public with detailed economic statistics on TV. Known in French politics by his initials “BLM”, he navigated France through significant economic challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while continuously highlighting potential risks on the horizon.

Le Maire’s literary career is extensive, but his 13th book, “Fugue americaine”, attracted particular attention. The novel revolves around the legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz and the story of two brothers, Franz and Oskar Wertheimer, whose lives are upended during a trip to Cuba.

A single, erotic page featuring a character named Julia became a viral phenomenon, widely discussed on social media. The passage, described in explicit terms including the phrase “dilated like never before”, became one of the biggest social media trends of 2023.

“If there were only politics — without the freedom that literary and romantic creation gives — politics would not be enough,” Le Maire told AFP.

In a statement on X, he acknowledged followers’ curiosity about how he finds time to write while serving as a minister: “Some people go to museums, cinemas, concerts, football. Others do gardening or go hiking. As for me, I write.”
“It’s a need that makes it worthwhile to get up early, go to bed late, and devote weekends and holidays to this.”

Le Maire has emphasised that while he remains dedicated to public service, maintaining personal balance is essential. His literary work, he says, allows him to navigate the demands of political life while pursuing personal fulfilment.