The revolving door of advisors is a classic feature of Emmanuel Macron’s government, but the cabinet of Prisca Thevenot, government spokesperson, has broken records. Within just four months of their arrival, eight collaborators have already left the ship after turbulent weeks. Despite concerns from Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Thevenot reassured him that she had been sleeping better in recent weeks. In mid-April, her three main advisors – director, deputy director, and chief of staff – all resigned simultaneously. This was followed by the departure of several other key members, bringing the total to seven departures in two weeks, out of nine members of the cabinet.
The departure of Alexis Bétemps, the speechwriter for Thevenot, prior to the publication of an investigation linking him to extreme right-wing ideas, further added to the drama surrounding the exodus from Thevenot’s team. The minister herself commented on the resignations during a cabinet meeting, likening the situation to the ups and downs of romantic relationships. She suggested that some departures happen quietly, while others generate a lot of noise. This publicity surrounding the departures is unusual in the world of ministerial cabinets, but it did not stop the former members from speaking out about their reasons for leaving.
Despite Thevenot’s portrayal of the resignations as friends parting ways, those who left her team paint a different picture. They describe a group of people who arrived together and left together, suggesting that they had orchestrated their exits. However, the backgrounds of these dissidents do not support this narrative. While some had crossed paths in various cabinets since 2017, only the chief of staff, William Elman, and his deputy, Samira Jemaï, had previously worked together. The idea of a coordinated mass exit is refuted by one former advisor who emphasizes that she did not resign out of friendship, but as a professional decision. Another ex-colleague notes that they did not all leave for the same reasons.
The controversy surrounding Thevenot’s cabinet reshuffling has drawn attention to the inner workings of ministerial teams in Macron’s government. The high turnover rate and public nature of these resignations have raised questions about leadership and management within the government. Some have speculated that the departures may signal deeper issues within Thevenot’s team or the government as a whole. While the minister herself remains in her role, the fallout from this turbulent period may have lasting implications for her and her leadership style. As the dust settles, the true reasons behind the departures may become clearer, shedding light on the challenges faced by those working at the highest levels of government.
