The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) will choose its first president on Wednesday, from a mix of employers and non-profit organizations.

The Economic, Social and Environmental Council will elect its new president on Wednesday, May 20th. For the first time in the history of this institution, created in 1958, the president will be a woman. The 175 members of the third assembly of the Republic will choose between two candidates with contrasting profiles: Claire Thoury, president of the Mouvement associatif (Association Movement) and supported by the majority of trade unions in a joint statement released at the end of March, and Dominique Carlac'h, former spokesperson for the Medef (French Business Confederation), backed by employers. This election comes at the end of Thierry Beaudet's term, in office since 2021, and at a time when the institution, located in the Palais d'Iéna, is facing a period of questioning about its purpose.

Two visions to revitalize the institution

The two candidates present different visions for revitalizing the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE). Dominique Carlac'h emphasizes her experience in the corporate world and social dialogue, stating that she has always sought common ground in her past roles within the sports movement and the assembly. Claire Thoury, for her part, stresses the CESE's ability to move the state beyond constant crisis management and toward long-term planning, thanks to the organizations that comprise it and to citizens. One member of the institution bluntly summarizes the difficulty: the assembly is too often perceived as producing enormous reports that no one reads.

A legitimacy to be regained

This historic election is taking place against a backdrop of questioning the legitimacy of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. The institution faces recurring criticism regarding its actual impact on public debate, despite its constitutional status and its advisory role on draft economic and social legislation. The future president will therefore have to not only embody gender parity at the head of this assembly, but also restore credibility to a body whose advisory role struggles to be heard amidst the turmoil of French politics.