Philippe Richert

Philippe Richert
Name	Philippe Richert
Office	President of the Regional Council of Grand Est
Term start	4 January 2016
Term end	20 October 2017
Predecessor	Jean-Pierre Masseret
Successor	Jean Rottner
Birth date	16 August 1953
Birth place	Obernai, Bas-Rhin, France
Party	The Republicans

Philippe Richert (born 16 August 1953 in Obernai, Bas-Rhin) is a French politician associated with The Republicans (France), formerly Union for a Popular Movement. He held senior roles at municipal, departmental, regional and national levels, serving as a senator for Bas-Rhin (department) and as President of the Regional Council of Grand Est. His tenure intersected with major figures and institutions in French politics, including interactions with presidents, prime ministers and European bodies.

Early life and education

Richert was born in Obernai in the historic region of Alsace during the presidency of René Coty. He studied at institutions in Strasbourg and completed higher studies tied to public administration amid the milieu shaped by universities such as University of Strasbourg and administrative schools that prepared officials for roles within prefectures like Bas-Rhin prefecture. His formative years were influenced by the postwar reconstruction era symbolized by events such as the Treaty of Rome and by regional identities rooted in Alsace-Lorraine.

Political career

Richert began his political trajectory in municipal politics in Obernai and allied with figures from center-right formations including Rally for the Republic and later Union for a Popular Movement. He served as a municipal councillor and mayoral deputy, engaging with departmental bodies such as the General Council of Bas-Rhin and national institutions like the Senate of France. Elected to the Senate of France for Bas-Rhin (department), he participated in parliamentary commissions and collaborated with senators from parties including Socialist Party (France), Union for French Democracy, and later The Republicans (France). His senatorial alliances intersected with national leaders such as Nicolas Sarkozy, François Fillon, and local notables like Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Government and ministerial roles

At the national level, Richert was appointed to ministerial and state secretary roles within cabinets headed by prime ministers including François Fillon and worked alongside ministers from portfolios like the Ministry of Interior (France), Ministry of Labor (France), and Ministry of Education (France). He served as Secretary of State for relations with the assemblies of the Parliament of France and was involved in intergovernmental coordination touching on institutions such as the Conseil d'État (France), Constitutional Council (France), and regional prefectures. His ministerial work required interface with European institutions like the European Parliament and cross-border bodies around the Rhine and Saarland.

Regional presidency and policies

As President of the Regional Council of Grand Est, Richert presided over the merged regions of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine following the territorial reforms initiated during the presidency of François Hollande. He steered regional policy affecting transport networks linking hubs such as Strasbourg, Reims, and Metz, and engaged with infrastructure agencies including SNCF and regional development bodies tied to the European Union's cohesion policy. Richert prioritized cultural initiatives rooted in heritage sites like Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg and industrial reconversion in former centers such as Charleville-Mézières and Mulhouse, interacting with unions like CFDT and employers' federations like Medef.

Political positions and controversies

Richert's positions on territorial reform, decentralization, and cross-border cooperation generated debate among regional actors including members of National Rally (France), Socialist Party (France), and centrist groups like MoDem. His endorsement of the Grand Est merger faced opposition from regionalist movements in Alsace and led to discussions with institutions such as the Council of Europe and media outlets including Le Monde and France 3 Grand Est. During his tenure, he confronted controversies over budgetary allocations, cultural policy disputes involving heritage associations and municipal councils in Colmar and Haguenau, and clashes with other regional presidents such as Jean-Pierre Masseret and later Renaud Muselier.

Personal life and honours

Richert's personal affiliations link him to regional civic organizations in Alsace and commemorative associations tied to historical events such as Armistice of 11 November 1918. He received national and regional recognitions consistent with French public service decorum, comparable to honours conferred by institutions like the Legion of Honour and the Order of Agricultural Merit, and engaged with cultural institutions including Musée Alsacien and chambers such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Strasbourg. He remains a notable figure within The Republicans (France) and the political landscape of northeastern France.

Category:1953 births Category:French politicians Category:People from Obernai