Laurence Marion, a 49-year-old senior civil servant, has been selected to lead the secrétariat général du gouvernement, succeeding Claire Landais. Her appointment will be formalized in the council of ministers on January 14. This key role, attached to Matignon, is crucial for implementing government decisions amid political instability.
Laurence Marion, currently director of legal affairs at the Ministry of the Armed Forces since 2022, will head the secrétariat général du gouvernement. At 49 years old, she succeeds Claire Landais, who has held the position since July 2020 and requested to leave. Claire Landais is tipped to chair the board of the établissement public du parc et de la Grande Halle de La Villette in Paris.
Laurence Marion's name had been circulating for several days in senior civil service circles. Another candidate, Julien Boucher, former director general of the Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides from 2019 to 2025, was on the shortlist but was not selected.
This little-known but vital role is directly attached to the Prime Minister. It coordinates the implementation of government decisions. Laurence Marion will be the second woman to hold it, following Claire Landais, amid political instability, government changes, and no clear majority in the Assemblée nationale. Her appointment comes as France grapples with governance challenges.
