Jean-Marie Bockel
{{short description|French politician}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=March 2014}}
{{Expand French|topic=gov|date=February 2017}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jean-Marie Bockel
| image = Jean-Marie Bockel par Claude Truong-Ngoc juin 2014.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| office = Member of the French Senate
for Haut-Rhin
| term_start = 14 December 2010
| term_end = 30 September 2020
| predecessor = Jacques Muller
| successor = Ludovic Haye
| office2 = State Secretary of Justice
| president2 = Nicolas Sarkozy
| primeminister2 = François Fillon
| term_start2 = 23 June 2009
| term_end2 = 13 November 2010
| predecessor2 = None
| successor2 =
| office3 = Secretary of State for Veterans' Affairs
| term_start3 = 18 March 2008
| term_end3 = 23 June 2009
| president3 = Emmanuel Macron
| primeminister3 = François Fillon
| predecessor3 = Alain Marleix
| successor3 = Hubert Falco
| office4 = Minister Delegate for Development and Francophonie
| term_start4 = 18 June 2007
| term_end4 = 18 March 2008
| president4 = Nicolas Sarkozy
| primeminister4 = François Fillon
| predecessor4 = Brigitte Girardin
| successor4 = Alain Joyandet
| term_start5 = 1989
| term_end5 = 2010
| predecessor5 = Joseph Klifa
| successor5 = Jean Rottner
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|06|22}}
| birth_place = Strasbourg, France
| party = Modern Left
}}
Jean-Marie Bockel (born 22 June 1950) is a French politician who has been serving as President Emmanuel Macron's Personal Envoy for Africa since 2024.Elise Vincent and Philippe Ricard (12 February 2024), [https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/02/12/jean-marie-bockel-envoye-special-d-emmanuel-macron-en-afrique-il-faut-faire-evoluer-les-dispositifs-militaires-dans-l-interet-de-tous_6216139_3212.html Jean-Marie Bockel, envoyé spécial d’Emmanuel Macron en Afrique : il faut « faire évoluer les dispositifs militaires dans l’intérêt de tous »] Le Monde.
Earlier in his political career, Bockel served in several government positions, including as State Secretary of Justice (2009–2010), Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans (2008–2009) and Secretary of State for Cooperation and La Francophonie (2007–2008) in the government of Prime Minister François Fillon as well as Minister for Commerce (1984–1986) in the government of Prime Minister Laurent Fabius.
Bockel was a member of the French National Assembly from 1981, when he first stood as a Socialist Party candidate, and later served as a member of the Senate of France from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2020.
Early life and career
Bockel (commonly referred to as "JMB" in France) was born in Strasbourg. He is a lawyer.
Political career
Bockel served as mayor of Mulhouse from 1989 to 2010. On the right wing of the Socialist Party, he declared himself to be an admirer and strong supporter of the policies of Tony Blair.Roger Cohen (24 August 2005), [https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/iht/2005/08/24/international/IHT-24globalist.html French Wrestle With Art of Political Illusionists] International Herald Tribune.[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112535087321225984 Left in the Wilderness] Wall Street Journal, 30 August 2005.
In 2006, together with Christian Blanc and Alain Lambert, Bockel launched the Committee for the Modernization of France that sought the "comprehensive and coherent" modernization of the French economy and society.Roger Cohen (24 August 2005), [https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2006/07/03/ensemble-modernisons-la-france-par-christian-blanc-jean-marie-bockel-et-alain-lambert_791239_3232.html Ensemble, modernisons la France, par Christian Blanc, Jean-Marie Bockel et Alain Lambert] Le Monde, 3 July 2006.
In August 2007, Bockel for the first time joined a cabinet under President Nicolas Sarkozy,Katrin Bennhold (19 June 2007), [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/news/19iht-france.4.6216430.html After French election stumble, Sarkozy alters his team] International Herald Tribune. arguing that Sarkozy's UMP was committed to genuine reform while his own party had failed to evolve.Jon Boyle (9 August 2007), [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL19322882/ Sarkozy names first woman to run French economy] Reuters. He subsequently had to leave the Socialist Party.
In November 2007 Bockel announced the formation of a new centre-left political party, Modern Left (Gauche Moderne), and used this party as a vehicle to campaign in the 2008 municipal elections for a fourth term as mayor.
During his time in the Fillon government, Bockel became an outspoken critic of the Françafrique idea.Adam Nossiter (12 November 2009), [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/world/africa/13francophone.html Ill Will Grows in a Former Colonial Region] The New York Times.Nicholas Vinocur (29 September 2011), [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL5E7KS7A6/ Time up for shadowy post-colonial Francafrique era] Reuters. He also criticized the "squandering of public funds" by some African regimes.Adam Nossiter (8 June 2009), [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/world/africa/09bongo.html Omar Bongo, Gabon Leader, Dies at 73] The New York Times.
In a 2010 cabinet reshuffle, Bockel was replaced by Hubert Falco.Ben Hall (15 November 2010), [https://www.ft.com/content/e6221fbc-f0e9-11df-bf4b-00144feab49a Centrists attack Sarkozy’s shift to right] Financial Times.
As a member of the Senate from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2014, Bockel represented the department of Haut-Rhin and served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense. In this capacity, he notably authored a 2012 report calling on the French government to ban the use of routers and other equipment from Huawei and ZTE in French telecommunications networks.Eric Pfanner (12 October 2012), [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/business/global/huawei-chinese-telecom-company-finds-warmer-welcome-in-europe.html Chinese Telecom Firm Finds Warmer Welcome in Europe] Reuters.
In addition to his work in the Senate, Bockel served as member of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 2012 to 2015. In this capacity, he was a member of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy (2012–2015); the Sub-Committee on the Rights of Minorities (2012–2015); and the Sub-Committee on conflict prevention through dialogue and reconciliation (2012–2013).[https://pace.coe.int/en/members/5451?lang=FR Jean-Marie Bockel] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He also participated in the Assembly’s observer mission to the 2014 Tunisian presidential election[https://pace.coe.int/en/news/5306 PACE to observe the presidential election in Tunisia] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, press release of 20 November 2014. and later served as the Assembly’s rapporteur on humanitarian consequences of the threats posed by the terrorist group Islamic State.[https://pace.coe.int/en/news/5371/humanitarian-consequences-of-the-threats-posed-by-the-terrorist-group-islamic-state-rapporteur-makes-visit-to-turkey Humanitarian consequences of the threats posed by the terrorist group Islamic State: rapporteur makes visit to Turkey] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, press release of 12 January 2015.
Ahead of the 2012 presidential elections, Bockel publicly declared his support for Sarkozy as the Republicans' candidate.Anne Rovan (6 January 2012), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2012/01/06/01002-20120106ARTFIG00562-bockel-j-apporte-mon-soutien-net-et-clair-a-sarkozy.php Bockel: «J'apporte mon soutien net et clair à Sarkozy»] Le Figaro.
In 2022, President Macron appointed Bockel as chair of a commission in charge of "recognition" and "reparations" for the Harkis, the Muslims who served as civilian auxiliaries in the French army during the Algerian War (1954-1962).Cyril Hofstein (7 October 2022), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/jean-marie-bockel-la-memoire-des-harkis-en-heritage-20221007 Jean-Marie Bockel, la mémoire des harkis en héritage] Le Figaro.
In February 2024, President Macron appointed Bockel as his "personal envoy" to Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/02/06/jean-marie-bockel-nomme-envoye-personnel-d-emmanuel-macron-en-afrique_6215028_3212.html|title=Jean-Marie Bockel nommé " envoyé personnel " d'Emmanuel Macron en Afrique|date=2024-02-06|publisher=Le Monde|language=fr|access-date=2024-02-06}}
In November 2024, Jean-Marie Bockel will submit a report to President Emmanuel Macron on the reconfiguration of the French military presence in Africa. The report advocates a “renewed” and “rebuilt” partnership with African countries.{{cite news |date=2024-11-26 |title=
Le rapport sur la reconfiguration du dispositif militaire français en Afrique présenté à Emmanuel Macron |language=fr-FR |publisher=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/11/26/le-rapport-sur-la-reconfiguration-du-dispositif-militaire-francais-en-afrique-presente-a-emmanuel-macron_6415020_3212.html |access-date=2024-11-26}}
=Governmental functions=
Secretary of State for Prisons and Prison Reform : 2009–2010.
Secretary of State for Defense and Veterans : 2008–2009.
Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony : 2007–2008.
Minister of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism : February–March 1986.
State Secretary to the Minister of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism : 1984–1986.
=Electoral mandates=
National Assembly of France
Member of the National Assembly of France for Haut-Rhin : 1981–1984 (Became secretary of State in 1984) / 1986–1993 / 1997–2002. Elected in 1981, reelected in 1986, 1988, 1997.
Senate of France
Senator of Haut-Rhin : 2004–2007 (Became secretary of State in 2007). Elected in 2004. Reelected in 2008, but he stays minister.
General Council
General councillor of Haut-Rhin : 1982–1989 (Resignation) / 1994–1997 (Resignation). Reelected in 1988, 1994.
Municipal Council
Mayor of Mulhouse : 1989–2010 (Resignation). Reelected in 1995, 2001, 2008.
Municipal councillor of Mulhouse : Since 1989. Reelected in 1995, 2001, 2008.
Agglomeration community Council
President of the Agglomeration community of Mulhouse Sud Alsace : Since 2001. Reelected in 2008.
Member of the Agglomeration community of Mulhouse Sud Alsace : Since 2001. Reelected in 2008.
Other activities
- Orous Capital, Member of the Advisory Board (since 2023)[https://orouscapital.com/team/jean-marie-bockel/ Advisory Board] Orous Capital.
- Tilder, Senior Advisor[https://www.tilder.com/en/team/jean-marie-bockel-2/ Team: Jean-Marie Bockel] Tilder.
- Groupe Hospitalier de la Région de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace, Member of the Board of Directors (–2017)Baptiste Cogitore (22 March 2017), [https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/grand-est/haut-rhin/mulhouse/mulhouse-jean-marie-bockel-renonce-presidence-du-conseil-surveillance-hopital-1219707.html Mulhouse : Jean-Marie Bockel renonce à la présidence du conseil de surveillance de l'hôpital] France 3.
Personal life
Pierre-Emmanuel, one of Bockel's five sons, died in a helicopter crash in Mali on 25 November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191126-thirteen-french-soldiers-killed-in-mali-helicopter-accident|title=Thirteen French soldiers killed in Mali helicopter accident|date=2019-11-26|publisher=France 24|access-date=2019-11-26}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.lagauchemoderne.org/ Official website of Modern Left]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080323061226/http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/acteurs/biographie_5/acteurs/gouvernement/secretariat_etat_defense_anciens_m634/ Biography (in French) on the official Prime-Ministerial web site]
{{Senators of France}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bockel, Jean-Marie}}
Category:Politicians from Strasbourg
Category:French people of German descent
Category:Socialist Party (France) politicians
Category:Modern Left politicians
Category:Union of Democrats and Independents politicians
Category:Radical Movement politicians
Category:Ministers of commerce and industry of France
Category:Deputies of the 7th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic
Category:Deputies of the 8th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic
Category:Deputies of the 9th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic
Category:Deputies of the 11th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic