In the matter of the release of the hostages held by Hamas, the head of state relied on Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Defense and on Jean-Yves Le Drian, former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Catherine Colonna “doesn’t print”, the majority complain.
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France tried to influence to favor the announced agreement Tuesday November 21 for the release of hostages held by Hamas. What may be surprising is that it was not necessarily the expected figures who were on the front line.
Emmanuel Macron has of course increased contacts with the leaders of the region, in particular the Emir of Qatar, Tamim ben Hamad Al-Thani, and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, two essential intermediaries. But he also relies on two emissaries, the Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, whom he sent on tour to the Middle East last week, including two visits to Doha, Qatar, in 48 hours. And then Jean-Yves Le Drian, his former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Emmanuel Macron’s special envoy to Lebanon, he also activated his networks in the Gulf. The head of state relied less on the current tenant of the Quai d’Orsay who is much more discreet.
Where did Catherine Colonna go? This is the question that most people ask themselves. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is not idle. She has visited the region three times since the start of the war, notably to the United Arab Emirates, and maintains contacts with her Egyptian, Turkish and Iranian counterparts. And she multiplies the interviews Wednesday morning in Release and on France Inter. But Catherine Colonna “does not print”, the majority laments. Certainly, international affairs falling within the President’s “reserved domain”, it is always difficult for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to come to light. But Catherine Colonna is hardly any more audible as spokesperson for the Head of State and she struggles to assure him of the unreserved devotion of the diplomatic corps.
A critical note leaked to the press
Diplomats have recently voiced their criticism. It is an extremely rare fact: a note written by French ambassadors to the Middle East and the Maghreb criticizing France’s policy has leaked to the press. The episode angered the Élysée. It illustrates the discontent that reigns at the Quai d’Orsay, this immutable administration, almost immobile, resistant to the steering wheel of Emmanuel Macron. Discontent fueled by the suppression of the diplomatic corps initiated by the head of state. In an interview with ReleaseCatherine Colonna judge “regrettable and abnormal” that these notes were leaked and she recalls that it is the President who “decides the nation’s foreign policy”. It remains to be seen who is implementing it alongside him?
