Five years later, it’s finally the right time for Marc Fesneau. The now ex-delegate minister in charge of relations with Parliament (2018-2022) has indeed agreed to take the helm of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty within the new government of Elisabeth Borne, after having declined the proposal in 2017. Appointed Friday, May 20, this figure of the MoDem succeeds Julien Denormandie.
Fascinated by agricultural subjects for a long time, Marc Fesneau, 51, began his career in a consulting firm working for the Ministry of Agriculture, before joining the departmental chamber of agriculture of Loir-et- Expensive. In 2002, he was appointed director of the department responsible for local development policies. His father was also a technical adviser to the cabinet of Michel Rocard, when the latter was Minister of Agriculture (1983-1985).
Despite his appetite for the subject, Mr. Fesneau justified his refusal to join the new government team in 2017, stressing that he wanted to devote himself to his first term as deputy for the 1st constituency of Loir-et-Cher.
Praised for his “demining” talent
It was finally on October 16, 2018, on the occasion of the reshuffle following the resignation of Gérard Collomb, that this crossbow hunter joined the government of Edouard Philippe and succeeded Christophe Castaner as Minister Delegate in charge of relations with Parliament.
In this position, the centrist stood out and was appreciated for his talents as a diplomat, his discretion and his patience. According to the recurring disagreements which settle between the opposition forces in Parliament and the presidential majority, Marc Fenseau becomes a centerpiece, essential to the macronie, capable of “demining” the tensions with the two chambers. On the arrival of Jean Castex at Matignon, in July 2020, he was confirmed in his functions and saw his prerogatives extend as Minister Delegate in charge of relations with Parliament and citizen participation.
Marc Fesneau is also one of the ambassadors of the MoDem within the presidential majority, alongside François Bayrou. The former parliamentary assistant (for fifteen years) to Jacqueline Gourault in the Senate, was secretary general of the centrist party between 2010 and 2017, before succeeding Marielle de Sarnez, who died in January 2021, becoming the first vice-president of the party centrist two months later.
Like several other members of the new government, Mr. Fesneau will scrap in the June legislative elections, as a candidate for re-election, a year after his bitter defeat in the regional elections.
The ex-edile of the village of Marchenoir (Loir-et-Cher), who had been designated head of the list for the majority in his region of Center-Val-de-Loire, had indeed arrived fourth in the second round of the ballot, with 16% of the votes cast. He has since sat in opposition to the regional council, where he had already been elected from 2004 to 2010.