Alexis Kohler to Depart Élysée Presidential Office After Eight Years
Kohler’s tenure ends amid rising scrutiny and investigations as he prepares to transition to the private sector.
Alexis Kohler, a key aide to French President Emmanuel Macron, has announced his departure from the Élysée Palace, set to take place in April.
His decision comes after an eight-year tenure, making him one of the longest-serving secretaries general in recent French history, only surpassed by Jean-Louis Bianco (1982–1991).
Kohler, 52, had been awaiting clearance from the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP) before finalizing his exit.
He is expected to join a major bank, though specific details regarding the institution have yet to be disclosed.
Emmanuel Moulin, the former chief of staff to Gabriel Attal, is anticipated to succeed him in the role.
Reports suggest Kohler's departure is influenced by sentiment surrounding the shifting dynamics of power within the French government.
Observers within the Palais de l’Élysée have noted that "the Élysée is no longer the nerve center of power," leading to perceptions of diminishing influence and a sense of futility regarding his role.
Educated at Sciences Po and the École Nationale d'Administration, Kohler has been a significant figure in Macron's administration since 2017, initially serving as his chief of staff at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
While often remaining out of the public eye, his name has featured prominently in media reports, particularly concerning various legal challenges.
Since 2022, he has been under investigation in the MSC case for alleged "illegal taking of interests."
Investigators suspect that Kohler, as a high-ranking civil servant, was involved in decisions affecting the Italian-Swiss shipping company MSC, which is linked to his family.
The Paris Court of Appeal has suggested that he maintained a "pact of silence" to conceal this familial connection.
Additionally, Kohler faces an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office related to potential "influence peddling" in connection with the merger of Veolia and Suez.
Most recently, Kohler has come under scrutiny for refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into fiscal mismanagement, citing scheduling conflicts and the "principle of separation of powers." On February 19, a parliamentary committee authorized the initiation of criminal proceedings if he continued to evade testimony.
Another parliamentary inquiry is set to examine whether he succumbed to lobbying by Nestlé concerning bottled water industry practices.
His decision comes after an eight-year tenure, making him one of the longest-serving secretaries general in recent French history, only surpassed by Jean-Louis Bianco (1982–1991).
Kohler, 52, had been awaiting clearance from the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP) before finalizing his exit.
He is expected to join a major bank, though specific details regarding the institution have yet to be disclosed.
Emmanuel Moulin, the former chief of staff to Gabriel Attal, is anticipated to succeed him in the role.
Reports suggest Kohler's departure is influenced by sentiment surrounding the shifting dynamics of power within the French government.
Observers within the Palais de l’Élysée have noted that "the Élysée is no longer the nerve center of power," leading to perceptions of diminishing influence and a sense of futility regarding his role.
Educated at Sciences Po and the École Nationale d'Administration, Kohler has been a significant figure in Macron's administration since 2017, initially serving as his chief of staff at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
While often remaining out of the public eye, his name has featured prominently in media reports, particularly concerning various legal challenges.
Since 2022, he has been under investigation in the MSC case for alleged "illegal taking of interests."
Investigators suspect that Kohler, as a high-ranking civil servant, was involved in decisions affecting the Italian-Swiss shipping company MSC, which is linked to his family.
The Paris Court of Appeal has suggested that he maintained a "pact of silence" to conceal this familial connection.
Additionally, Kohler faces an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office related to potential "influence peddling" in connection with the merger of Veolia and Suez.
Most recently, Kohler has come under scrutiny for refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into fiscal mismanagement, citing scheduling conflicts and the "principle of separation of powers." On February 19, a parliamentary committee authorized the initiation of criminal proceedings if he continued to evade testimony.
Another parliamentary inquiry is set to examine whether he succumbed to lobbying by Nestlé concerning bottled water industry practices.