Thierry Mariani

{{infobox officeholder

| honorific-suffix = MEP

| name = Thierry Mariani

| image = Thierry.Mariani.jpg

| office = Member of the European Parliament

| term_start = 2 June 2019

| term_end =

| constituency = France

| office2 = Member of the
National Assembly

| constituency2 = 4th of Vaucluse (2012)
11th for French residents overseas {{nowrap|(2012–2017)}}

| term_start2 = 10 May 2012

| term_end2 = 20 June 2017

| predecessor2 = Paul Durieu

| successor2 = Anne Genetet

| term_start3 = 2 April 1993

| term_end3 = 14 December 2010

| constituency3 = 4th of Vaucluse

| predecessor3 = Jean Gatel

| successor3 = Paul Durieu

| office1 = Minister in charge of Transport

| term_start1 = 14 November 2010

| term_end1 = 10 May 2012

| primeminister1 = François Fillon

| predecessor1 = Dominique Bussereau

| successor1 = Frédéric Cuvillier

| office4 = Mayor of Valréas

| term_start4 = 1989

| term_end4 = 2005

| predecessor4 = Jean Duffard

| successor4 = Nadège Savajols

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|08|08|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Orange, France

| nationality = French

| party = National Rally (since 2019)

| otherparty = Union of Democrats for the Republic (1976)
Rally for the Republic {{nowrap|(1976–2002)}}
Union for a Popular Movement (2002–2015)
The Republicans (2015–2019)

}}

Thierry Mariani ({{IPA|fr|tjɛʁi maʁjani}}; born 8 August 1958) is a French politician serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2019. He previously served as Minister in charge of Transport under the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable development, Transport and Housing from 2010 to 2012 (with the title of Secretary of State until 2011). A former member of The Republicans (LR), he has been an Independent since 2019.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33633874 "French MPs' Crimea visit condemned by France and Ukraine"], BBC News, 23 July 2015.

Mariani joined the National Rally (RN) list for the 2019 European Parliament election.{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/ex-sarkozy-minister-jumps-conservative-ship-to-join-french-far-right-11103410 |title=Ex-Sarkozy minister jumps conservative ship to join French far-right - Channel NewsAsia |website=www.channelnewsasia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109174418/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/ex-sarkozy-minister-jumps-conservative-ship-to-join-french-far-right-11103410 |archive-date=2019-01-09}} In the 2021 regional election, he led the party's list in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Although he was ahead in the polls for both the first and second round of voting, which would have made him the first president of a Regional Council affiliated with the National Rally, he placed second in the election's second round, losing to incumbent Renaud Muselier, caused by a low turnout rate induced by the Covid-19 pandemic and an election delay.

Family and education

Thierry Mariani was born on 8 August 1958 in Orange. His family is of Italian origin, from Castellafiume.{{cite web |last1=Nivelle |first1=Pascale |title=Le voyeur de Bagdad |url=http://www.liberation.fr/portrait/2002/10/10/le-voyeur-de-bagdad_417990 |website=liberation.fr |publisher=Libération |access-date=3 October 2015}} He went to school in Avignon, then Aix-en-Provence, before he attended higher education in Paris.[http://www.thierrymariani.fr/ Official website]

Political career

=Early career=

Mariani started a career in politics in 1976, alongside Nicolas Sarkozy. He held the mayorship of Valréas, the city where he grew up, from 1989 to 2005.[https://archive.today/20130213125112/http://www.20minutes.fr/article/387708/Marseille-Challenger-en-terres-de-gauche.php 20 Minutes][http://www.laprovence.com/article/paris/thierry-mariani-ump-le-second-choix "Thierry Mariani (UMP), le second choix"], La Provence, 20 January 2010.[http://www.lemonde.fr/elections-regionales/article_interactif/2010/02/23/les-principaux-candidats-en-lice_1310063_1293905_4.html Le Monde] He was elected to the General Council of Vaucluse for the canton of Valréas from 1988 to 2001 and served as one of its vice presidents for the last nine years of his tenure. He also was a regional councillor of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur from 1992 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2015. In the 1993 legislative election, he was elected to the National Assembly in Vaucluse's 4th constituency. He has been a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and an observer of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. In 2009, he was appointed as the French Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan during the Kabul elections.{{dead link |date=June 2012 |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/defense_uk/breves/france_s_new_special_representative_for_afghanistan_and_pakistan_in_kabul_for_the_elections Defence Cabinet}}

=In government=

File:Ministru prezidents Valdis Dombrovskis tiekas ar Francijas satiksmes ministru Tjerī Mariāni (6748208977).jpg in 2012]]

On 14 November 2010, he was appointed Secretary of State at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable development, Transport and Housing. On 29 June 2011, his title was changed to Minister in charge of Transport, a junior minister office under Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet.

=In opposition=

File:Thierry Mariani (France), 4 July 2016.jpg

In April 2011, the Union for a Popular Movement selected Mariani as its candidate in the newly created eleventh constituency for French residents overseas (covering French citizens resident in most of Asia, the whole of Oceania, as well as part of Eastern Europe) for the 2012 legislative election.[http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/04/12/01002-20110412ARTFIG00729-legislatives-l-ump-a-designe-ses-candidats-pour-l-etranger.php "Législatives : l'UMP a désigné ses candidats pour l'étranger"], Le Figaro, 13 April 2011 In Vaucluse's 4th constituency, he was succeeded by Jacques Bompard. Ahead of the 2017 presidential election, Mariani endorsed former Prime Minister François Fillon's presidential bid.Nicholas Vinocur (13 July 2016), [http://www.politico.eu/article/west-provoked-russia-says-former-french-pm-francois-fillon/ West ‘provoked’ Russia, says former French PM François Fillon] Politico Europe. In the subsequent 2017 legislative election, he ran for reelection but was heavily defeated by Anne Genetet. In the 2019 election, he was elected to the European Parliament as an Independent on the National Rally list.

In 2015, Mariani prepared the Council of Europe's report on Chinese migration to Europe, in which he raised "human rights concerns with regard to trafficking and smuggling rings, the lack of legal protection, and the poor work conditions these immigrants often face". From 2012 to 2017, Mariani was a member of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In this capacity, he served as head of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons;Tara Palmeri (22 April 2015), [http://www.politico.eu/article/national-issues-challenge-unity-at-migration-summit/ Refugee crisis pits Europe’s north vs south] Politico Europe. as member of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee); and as member of the Sub-Committee on Crime Problems and the Fight against Terrorism. In 2017, he served as the National Assembly's rapporteur on Poland.[http://www.assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/News/News-View-EN.asp?newsid=6577&lang=2&cat=3 The functioning of democratic institutions in Poland: visit by co-rapporteurs] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, press release of 30 March 2017.

Mariani was chosen to lead the National Rally list in the 2021 regional election in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, where he challenged Renaud Muselier's presidency over the regional council. Some commentators deemed the election to be the National Rally's best chance to win a regional majority for the first time in its history. However, his list placed second (42.7%) in the second round after winning the first (36.3%).{{Cite news|date=2021-06-18|title=France's Le Pen on track for regional power with an eye on presidency|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57523467|access-date=2021-06-19}}

Controversies

=Links with Azerbaijan=

Therry Mariani is a member of Azerbaijan's Friends Association, which, according to Le Monde, is the main tool of the caviar diplomacy used by the authoritarian state of Azerbaijan especially in France.{{cite news |title="Diplomatie du caviar": les échanges de bons procédés entre l'Azerbaïdjan et les élus français |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2017/09/05/diplomatie-du-caviar-les-echanges-de-bons-procedes-entre-l-azerbaidjan-et-les-elus-francais_5181230_4355770.html |author=Laura Motet |newspaper=Le Monde.fr |date=5 September 2017}}{{cite web |title=Des élus français très zélés avec les pays autoritaires |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/des-elus-francais-tres-zeles-avec-les-pays-autoritaires_1878988.html |author=Charles Haquet et Vincent Hugeux |date=14 February 2017}} As a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) member, he was known as one of the key actors of caviar diplomacy in Europe and a strong support of the Ilham Aliyev regime.

The PACE investigation report mentions Mariani as one of the MPs who were not sensitive to human rights violations in Azerbaijan and were backing the Azerbaijani authorities in the PACE. Mariani figures prominently as a friend of the Aliyev regime in the French documentary series by France 2, called Cash Investigation: Mon président est en voyage d’affaires. Mariani has personal relations with the Aliyev family; he has repeatedly spoken alongside Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan's First Lady, at several Azerbaijani-organised events in France.{{cite web |url=https://www.esiweb.org/pdf/esi_document_id_136.pdf |title=AZERBAIJAN DEBACLE: THE PACE DEBATE ON 23 JANUARY 2013}} Mariani is the Chairman of the NGO L'Eurasie, les nouveaux horizons, a member-organisation of the European Academy for Election Observation, an election observation NGO founded by Azerbaijan apologists Stef Goris and Alain Destexhe, which has promoted Azerbaijani interests in Europe.{{cite web |url=https://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=67&newsletter_ID=124 |title=Spring cleaning – the corruption report on the Council of Europe is out}} In 2010, the NGO L'Eurasie, les nouveaux horizons co-organised an event with an NGO led by Elkhan Suleymanov, an Azerbaijani MP at the centre of lobbying scandals in the PACE. He was also one of the key persons of the Azerbaijani Laundromat.{{cite web |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/azerbaijanilaundromat/us-lobbying-firm-launders-azerbaijans-reputation |title=US Lobbying Firm Launders Azerbaijan's Reputation – And Gets "Laundromat" Cash}}

=Russian invasion of Ukraine=

In July 2015, Mariani, accompanied by Russian officials, made a trip to Crimea which was annexed by Russia in 2014. In interviews and meetings he expressed support: "We welcome the courage of the Crimean Parliament because it was able to make this decision despite the difficult situation and a great risk of escalation".{{Cite news|title=Crimea Visit Spotlights Kremlin Sympathies Beyond French Fringes|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-visit-spotlights-kremlin-sympathies-beyond-french-fringes/27159124.html|access-date=2021-06-28|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=29 July 2015 |language=en |last1=Bigg |first1=Claire }} In 2016, he brought non-binding resolutions to the National Assembly and Senate calling on the European Union to lift economic sanctions against Russia. The resolutions, which had symbolic value, were adopted by both chambers in April and June, respectively.[https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2016/04/28/l-assemblee-vote-une-resolution-en-faveur-de-la-levee-de-l-embargo-russe_4910390_823448.html "L’Assemblée vote une résolution en faveur de la levée des sanctions contre la Russie"], Le Monde, 28 April 2016.

In November 2018, Mariani traveled to Donetsk to act as an observer in the general elections in the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/131118/la-visite-controversee-de-thierry-mariani-dans-le-donbass-pro-russe |title=La visite controversée de Thierry Mariani dans le Donbass pro-russe |date=2018-11-13 |website=Mediapart}}{{Cite web |url=https://information.tv5monde.com/international/ukraine-la-republique-populaire-de-donetsk-nouvelle-patrie-dadoption-de-quelques |title=Ukraine : la République Populaire de Donetsk, nouvelle patrie d'adoption de quelques francophones |date=2018-11-22 |website=TV5MONDE}}

In September 2021, two preliminary investigations concerning him were started, in connection with his activities within the Franco-Russian Dialogue association. He is suspected of corruption, breach of trust and money laundering as well as influence peddling, since benefits, suspicious financial transactions and travels could have been possible compensation for positions favorable to the Kremlin.{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/police-justice/article/2022/10/24/thierry-mariani-et-yves-pozzo-di-borgo-vises-par-une-enquete-pour-corruption-en-lien-avec-la-russie_6147139_1653578.html|title=Thierry Mariani et Yves Pozzo di Borgo visés par une enquête pour corruption en lien avec la Russie|website=Le Monde|date=2022-10-24}}

=Support to the Assad regime=

Between November 2015 and November 2017, Mariani traveled to Syria five times, for the purpose of meeting with Bashar al-Assad.{{cite web |url=http://www.liberation.fr/france/2017/11/05/a-damas-thierry-mariani-vante-la-proprete-des-rues_1607980 |title=A Damas, Thierry Mariani vante la propreté des rues |website=Libération |date=5 November 2017}} Justifying his November 2017 travel, he called Bashar al-Assad his "friend".{{cite web |url=https://www.marianne.net/monde/visitant-son-ami-bachar-al-assad-thierry-mariani-juge-les-rues-de-damas-bien-plus-propres-qu |title=Visitant son "ami" Bachar al-Assad, Thierry Mariani juge les rues de Damas "bien plus propres qu'à Paris" |website=marianne.net |date=2017-11-05}} Researcher Marie Peltier presented him as an "agent of Damascus" for his role in the propagation of disinformation, particularly after chemical attacks, and in the dissemination of regime propaganda.{{cite web |url=https://www.lecho.be/economie-politique/europe/general/marie-peltier-le-complotisme-est-une-arme-politique/10004412.html |title=Marie Peltier : "Le complotisme est une arme politique" |website=L'Echo |date=2018-04-24}}. In 2020, he called, in a plenary session at the European Parliament, to support the Assad regime to bring peace to the country, and to "exterminate the Syrian rebels".{{Cite news |title=L'entremetteur franco-russe |date=2021-05-26 |work=Le Canard enchaîné}}

=Relation with China=

Mariani has not supported Taiwan's claim of being the true Republic of China (1912–1949), the East Turkestan independence movement, or the Tibetan independence movement.[http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/News/News-View-en.asp?newsid=5580&lang=2 Promoting the integration of Chinese migrants in Europe] Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, press release of 27 April 2015.

Detail of mandates and functions

Governmental functions

Member of the Government of France: Secretary of State for Transport: 2010–2011; Minister in charge of Transport: 2011–2012.

Electoral mandates

European Parliament

Member of the European Parliament for France: 2019–present. Elected in 2019.

National Assembly of France

Member of the National Assembly for Vaucluse (4th constituency): 1993–2010 (resigned to become Secretary of State). Elected in 1993, reelected in 1997, 2002 and 2007.

Member of the National Assembly for French residents overseas (11th constituency): 2012–2017. Elected in 2012.

Regional council

Regional councillor of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur: 1992–1993 (resignation). 2004–2015. Elected in 1992, reelected in 2004 and 2010.

General council

Vice President of the General Council of Vaucluse: 1992–2001. Elected in 1992, reelected in 1994 and 1998.

General councillor of Vaucluse (canton of Valréas): 1988–2001. Elected in 1988, reelected in 1994 and 1998.

Municipal council

Mayor of Valréas: 1989–2005 (resignation). Elected in 1989, reelected in 1995 and 2001.

Municipal councillor of Valréas: 1989–2005 (resignation). Elected in 1989, reelected in 1995 and 2001.

Personal life

In 2005, Mariani married Irina Chaikhoullina, a Russian national. She obtained French citizenship in 2011.{{Cite web |url=https://lelab.europe1.fr/ou-lon-apprend-que-lepouse-de-thierry-mariani-a-presente-la-sarkozy-tv-en-russe-en-2007-1370608 |title=Où l'on apprend que l'épouse de Thierry Mariani a présenté la "Sarkozy TV" en russe en 2007 |date=2015-07-25 |website=Europe 1}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20150725.OBS3176/thierry-mariani-en-crimee-cherchez-la-femme.html |title=Thierry Mariani en Crimée : cherchez la femme ? |date=2015-07-25 |website=Le Nouvel Obs}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/indiscrets/vos-papiers-madame-mariani_1077458.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201135425/http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/indiscrets/vos-papiers-madame-mariani_1077458.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-02-01 |title=Vos papiers, Madame Mariani... |date=2012-02-01 |website=L'Express}}