French lawmakers approve right-wing politician as ombudsman

On 21 July 2026, French lawmakers approved Francois-Noel Buffet, a right-wing senator and former junior minister, to lead the country's top rights watchdog, despite criticism from activist groups. Lawmakers from both houses of parliament backed Buffet, a member of the Republicans party, by 43 votes to 39.

Anti-racism, migrant rights and LGBTQ rights groups were among those that displayed a banner opposite the Senate calling the appointment a "democratic catastrophe". Campaigners accused Buffet of having protested against the legalisation of marriage and adoption for same-sex couples in 2013. They also said he later voted against allowing all women to access medically assisted reproduction, supported reducing medical aid for undocumented migrants and abstained in a vote on putting abortion rights into France's constitution.

Buffet, 62, said last week that he would show "total independence" as ombudsman. He said his stance had changed on "a number of issues" and that he had never opposed the "principle" of same-sex marriage.

A union representing staff in the current ombudswoman's office alleged that Buffet's values were "contrary to the rights and principles" he would be expected to defend.

The appointment is the latest nomination by President Emmanuel Macron to draw controversy as he prepares to leave office in 2027 after serving the maximum two terms. Critics of Macron say he is seeking to place allies in senior posts before next year's elections, while Marine Le Pen's far-right party is seeking its strongest chance yet of taking power.

In May, lawmakers approved Macron's former chief of staff Emmanuel Moulin as central bank governor. There had been speculation that the right-wing Senate speaker supported Moulin's candidacy in exchange for Buffet becoming ombudsman, but Buffet said last week that he was unaware of any such deal. In February, former public accounts minister Amelie de Montchalin became France's top auditor after criticism that she could not scrutinise a budget she had helped draft.