Florian Philippot
| Florian Philippot | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Florian Philippot in 2012 | |
| Vice-president of the Front National In charge of strategy and communication | |
|
Assumed office 12 July 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
24 October 1981 Croix, Nord |
| Nationality | French |
| Political party | Front National |
| Alma mater | HEC Paris, ÉNA |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Senior civil servant of the General Inspection of the Administration (fr) (on leave) |
Florian Philippot (born 24 October 1981 at Croix, Nord) is a French politician, a senior civil servant on leave, one of the five vice presidents of the Front National (FN) and one of the main advisors of Marine Le Pen, president of this party.
In October 2011, he was appointed by Marine Le Pen strategic director of her presidential campaign.[1][2] In July 2012, he was appointed vice president in charge of strategy and communication of the FN.[3]
Family background
Born on 24 October 1981 at Croix, he grew up in Bondues, a residential suburb in the Urban Community of Lille Métropole.[2]
His father was a public head teacher, and his mother a primary school teacher.[2] His brother, Damien Philippot, a graduate of Sciences Po and ESCP Europe (École supérieure de commerce de Paris), is currently a manager for political studies in the French polling organization (IFOP).
Political career
In 2012, he was parliamentary candidate in Moselle's 6th constituency. Despite the presence of a dissident candidate of the FN (4.09% for Eric Vilain) in the first round, he came second with 26.34% and defeated the incumbent UMP MP Pierre Lang (25.02%).[4] Mayor of Forbach since 2008, Laurent Kalinowski defeated Florian Philippot in the run-off (53.70% against 46.30%).[5]
On 9 November 2012, he went to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises to pay homage to Charles de Gaulle, putting flowers on his grave "in a private capacity" and stating his gaullist convictions. This act irritated some members of the FN, due to Jean-Marie Le Pen's animosity toward the defunct President. His convictions and ideas were described as incompatible with de Gaulle's legacy, by the UMP party, although some commentators don't consider the UMP as a gaullist party any more.
Personal life
In December 2014, the French celebrity magazine Closer indicated that Philippot was gay, providing photographs of him and his boyfriend in Vienna.[6] Philippot called the article an invasion of his privacy and said he would file a complaint against Closer. He further said the FN was neither "gay friendly" nor the opposite and that it was not difficult to be gay in the party.[7]
References
- ↑ "Florian Philippot, the apprentice". Le Parisien (in French). 28 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Florian Philippot, the ENA alumnus who advises Marine Le Pen". L'Express (in French). 7 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ↑ "Florian Philippot becomes a vice president of the National Front". Le Figaro (in French). 12 July 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ↑ Bastuck, Nicolas (11 June 2012). "Moselle – Florian Philippot (FN) succeeds his parachuting". Le Point (in French). Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- ↑ "2012 French legislative elections: Moselle's 6th constituency (first round and run-off)" (in French). Minister of the Interior (France). Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ↑ http://www.lepoint.fr/medias/closer-revele-l-homosexualite-de-florian-philippot-11-12-2014-1888956_260.php
- ↑ Marc de Boni (15 December 2014) Florian Philippot : «Il n'y a pas de lobby gay au Front national» Le Figaro.