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PoliticsFrenchman Philippe Musquar appointed to lead EU political parties watchdog, embarrassing Paris
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Philippe Musquar, a French national, has been selected to head the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF) in Brussels, starting September 2026. The appointment, made by secretaries-general of the European Commission, Parliament, and Council, has drawn criticism from several EU member states due to its opaque process and Musquar's perceived closeness to the French conservative Les Républicains party. France, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic abstained from the vote, but their objections were insufficient to block the appointment. The APPF, which oversees European parties' compliance with EU values and financial transparency, has operated largely in the shadows since its creation a decade ago. The outgoing head is also Frenchman Pascal Schonard.
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The hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels, November 12, 2025. NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
This appointment could have gone unnoticed, as the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF) is unknown to the general public. For good reason, the APPF does not seek the spotlight. Operating in the shadows since its creation ten years ago, it ensures that European parties respect the values of the Union and finance themselves transparently.
At its head since 2021, Frenchman Pascal Schonard is preparing to hand over to a compatriot: Philippe Musquar, who was chosen a few weeks ago by the secretaries-general of the Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, representing the member states. The Twenty-Seven then had until Friday, July 24, to validate the decision.
Paris took its time to respond. At the last minute, France indicated in writing that it would abstain, according to information from the online media Euractiv confirmed to Le Monde by several diplomats. Some of them emphasize the lack of transparency in the procedure. France is not the only country to object. According to information from Le Monde, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic also abstained. These votes are not enough to block the procedure. The appointment of Philippe Musquar will soon appear in the Official Journal of the European Union.
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Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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Frenchman Philippe Musquar's Appointment to Lead EU Political Parties Watchdog Embarrasses Paris