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PoliticsFrench parliament approves conservative senator Buffet as Defender of Rights
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François-Noël Buffet, a conservative senator from The Republicans party, was approved by French parliamentarians on July 21, 2026, as the new Defender of Rights, succeeding Claire Hédon. His nomination, proposed by President Emmanuel Macron, was strongly contested by associations and unions due to his past opposition to same-sex marriage, medically assisted procreation for all women, and state medical aid, as well as his abstention on the constitutionalization of abortion rights. During his hearing, Buffet claimed to have evolved on these issues and promised independence. The article, largely behind a paywall, aims to explain the role of this independent authority, which handles thousands of complaints annually from citizens facing administrative issues or rights violations.
Source report
François-Noël Buffet, upon his arrival at the Senate in Paris, on July 21, 2026. LOU BENOIST / AFP
François-Noël Buffet will be the new Defender of Rights. On Tuesday, July 21, parliamentarians approved the candidacy of the senator (The Republicans) from Rhône, proposed by Emmanuel Macron to succeed Claire Hédon, who is completing her six-year term at the head of the institution.
This choice was strongly contested by several associations and unions, who criticize his past positions against:
- Marriage for all
- The opening of medically assisted procreation to all women
- State medical aid
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers: François-Noël Buffet, a candidate for the post of Defender of Rights challenged by the left during his hearing before deputies
The former minister of overseas territories (September-December 2024), who had also abstained on March 4, 2024, during the vote on the constitutionalization of voluntary termination of pregnancy, assured that he had "evolved" on several issues and promised "total independence" during his hearing before the deputies of the Law Committee on July 15.
This controversial nomination brings back into the spotlight an institution whose role remains poorly identified by the general public, despite a sharply increasing activity.
What is the role of the Defender of Rights?
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Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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Defender of Rights: After Contested Appointment of François-Noël Buffet, Understanding the Institution's Role