View source for Roselyne Bachelot

{{Short description|French politician}}
{{Expand French|topic=bio|Roselyne Bachelot|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name             = Roselyne Bachelot
| image            = Roselyne Bachelot 2023 (cropped).jpg
| caption          = Roselyne Bachelot in 2022
| office           = [[Ministry of Culture (France)|Minister of Culture]]
| president        = [[Emmanuel Macron]]
| primeminister    = [[Jean Castex]]
| term_start       = 6 July 2020
| term_end         = 20 May 2022
| predecessor      = [[Franck Riester]]
| successor        = [[Rima Abdul Malak]]
| office1          = [[Minister of Social Affairs (France)|Minister of Social Affairs]] 
| president1       = [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]
| primeminister1   = [[François Fillon]]
| term_start1      = 14 November 2010
| term_end1        = 16 May 2012
| predecessor1     = [[Eric Woerth]]
| successor1       = [[Marisol Touraine]] 
| office2          = [[Minister of Health (France)|Minister for Health]] and [[Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (France)|Sports]]
| president2       = [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]
| primeminister2   = [[François Fillon]]
| term_start2      = 18 May 2007
| term_end2        = 13 November 2010
| predecessor2     = [[Philippe Bas (politician)|Philippe Bas]]
| successor2       = [[Xavier Bertrand]]
| office3          = [[Ministry of Ecology|Minister for the Environment]]
| president3       = [[Jacques Chirac]]
| primeminister3   = [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]]
| term_start3      = 6 May 2002
| term_end3        = 31 March 2004
| predecessor3     = [[Yves Cochet]]
| successor3       = [[Serge Lepeltier]]
| office4          = [[Deputy (France)|Member]] of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]<br>for [[Maine-et-Loire]]'s [[Maine-et-Loire's 1st constituency|1st constituency]]
| term_start4      = 1988
| term_end4        = 2002
| predecessor4     = [[Jean Narquin]]
| successor4       = [[René Bouin]]
| birth_name       = Roselyne Narquin
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|24 December 1946|df=y}}
| birth_place      = [[Nevers]], [[French Fourth Republic]]
| party            = [[Rally for the Republic|RPR]] <small>(1982–2002)</small><br>[[Union for a Popular Movement|UMP]] <small>(2002–2012)</small>
| spouse           = Jacques Bachelot
| education        = [[University of Angers]]
}}
'''Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin''' ({{IPA|fr|ʁozlin baʃlo}}; {{née|'''Narquin'''}}; born 24 December 1946), is a [[Politics of France|French politician]] who served as [[Ministry of Culture (France)|Minister of Culture]] in the [[Castex government|government]] of [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] [[Jean Castex]] (2020–2022)<ref>Sacha Nelken (20 May 2022), [https://www.liberation.fr/politique/blanquer-bachelot-schiappa-les-principaux-recales-du-gouvernement-borne-1-20220520_AKSIYA4TJRGQHAXQTKLWN7A3CU/ Au revoir, au revoir président: Blanquer, Bachelot, Schiappa… Les principaux recalés du gouvernement Borne&nbsp;1] ''[[Libération]]''.</ref> and as Minister of Solidarity and Social Cohesion (2010–2012) in the government of [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] [[François Fillon]]. She was a member of the [[Union for a Popular Movement]], which was part of the [[European People's Party]].

==Early life and education==
Bachelot was born as Roselyne Narquin on 24 December 1946 in [[Nevers]], [[France]].<ref name="assembly">[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/13/tribun/fiches_id/332.asp National Assembly: Roselyne Bachelot]</ref> Her father [[Jean Narquin]], was a [[French Resistance|résistant]] and [[Gaullism|gaullist]] {{lang|fr|[[National Assembly (France)|député]]}}, and her mother was Yvette Le Dû, a native from [[Gourin]], both [[dentists]]. She has a brother, Jean-Yves Narquin, who ran for the [[European Parliament]] as a member of the [[National Front (France)|National Front]] in 2015.<ref name="huffingtonalexandre">Alexandre Boudet, [http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2014/04/22/frere-roselyne-bachelot-candidat-fn-europeennes_n_5190892.html Le frère de Roselyne Bachelot candidat FN aux européennes], ''The Huffington Post'', 22 April 2014</ref> Bachelot received a [[Doctor of Pharmacy#France|Doctorate in Pharmacy]].<ref name="assembly" />

== Political career ==
=== Member of the French Parliament ===
From 1988 until 2002 and again in 2007, Bachelot was a member of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]], representing [[Maine-et-Loire's 1st constituency]]. During that time, she served on the Committee on Cultural Affairs.<ref>[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/13/tribun/fiches_id/332.asp Roselyne Bachelot] [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]].</ref>

=== Member of the European Parliament ===
From 2004 until 2007, Bachelot served as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] for the [[European Parliament election, 2004 (France)#Seats|west]] of France. She was a member of the [[European Parliament]]'s [[European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs|Committee on Employment and Social Affairs]]. She also was a substitute on the [[European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy|Committee on Industry, Research and Energy]], a member of the [[European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine|Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council]], and a substitute for the Delegation for relations with [[Israel]].

=== Career in government ===
From 2007 until 2010, Bachelot served as French [[Minister of Health (France)|Minister for Health]] and [[Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (France)|Sports]]. Since French ministers cannot be members of Parliament, she was forced to give up her seat in the European Parliament.

During her time in office, Bachelot implemented the planned prohibition on smoking in restaurants, bars, discos, casinos and other commercial pleasure enterprises in 2008.<ref>Elaine Sciolino (3 January 2008), [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/world/europe/03smoking.html Even France, Haven of Smokers, Is Clearing the Air] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> She notably issued a warning against excessive mobile phone use, especially by children.<ref>Astrid Wendlandt (2 January 2008), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-mobiles/france-warns-against-excessive-mobile-phone-use-idUSL0223157720080102 France warns against excessive mobile phone use] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> Also in 2008, she publicly endorsed legislation introduced by [[Valérie Boyer]] which would have made the promotion of [[Pro-ana|extreme dieting]] a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of some $45,000;<ref>Doreen Carvajal (15 April 2008), [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/world/europe/15iht-paris.4.12015888.html French legislators approve law against Web sites encouraging anorexia and bulimia] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''.</ref> it passed the French lower house, but later failed in the Senate.<ref>Steven Erlanger (2 December 2009), [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/fashion/03Boyer.html Point, Shoot, Retouch and Label?] ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She also encouraged the [[National Assembly of France]] to change the legal age to purchase alcohol in France from 16 to 18; the new law took effect in July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|agency=AFP |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jmYoVOg4wVau5HpV2ATBhrTrYW_g |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322215402/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jmYoVOg4wVau5HpV2ATBhrTrYW_g |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2009 |title=France to raise the legal drinking age to 18 |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do;jsessionid=18ED9AC9EF67D77F5A2C0373B8E6B783.tpdjo08v_1?idArticle=LEGIARTI000020895233&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006072665&dateTexte=20090920 |title=Détail d'un article de code |language=fr |publisher=Legifrance.gouv.fr |access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>

In 2009, Bachelot ordered 94 million vaccines from [[Sanofi Pasteur]], [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[Novartis]] and [[Baxter International]] for the French Government at a cost of 869 million euros (and an option on 34 million additional vaccines in 2010) to fight against the [[Pandemic H1N1/09 virus|H1N1 influenza virus]]; however, less than 10% of French population (about 6 million people) had been vaccinated by the end of the winter. She later canceled over half the flu vaccines ordered to combat the virus, in an effort to head off criticism after reserving too many shots.<ref>Thierry Leveque and Noelle Mennella (4 January 2010) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-flu/france-cancels-50-million-flu-shot-orders-idUSTRE6034HX20100104 France cancels 50 million flu shot orders] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>

In June 2010, Bachelot made headlines when she reduced some players of the [[France national football team]] to tears after the French players protested by refusing to practice in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]. Domenech, head coach at the time, called the strike "an aberration, an imbecility, a stupidity without name" Monday. During a following meeting, Roselyne Bachelot said "It's your kids, our children, for whom perhaps you will no longer be heroes. It is the dreams of your partners, your friends, your fans that you have perhaps broken. You have tarnished the image of France."<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/5313752/official-france-team-tears-emotional-speech |title=Official appeals to France's team |publisher=[[Diario AS]] |date=22 June 2010}}.</ref>

In November 2010, Bachelot was appointed Minister of Social Affairs alongside [[Marie-Anne Montchamp]] and [[Claude Greff]] in the third [[François Fillon]] government. She was supposed to reform the public healthcare system for elderly people, but, due to the budgetary restrictions made necessary by the [[Great Recession]], she had to abandon any reform project. After the victory of [[François Hollande]] at the French presidential election in 2012, she was replaced by [[Marisol Touraine]]. She announced that she would support former Prime Minister [[François Fillon]] for the Presidency of the [[Union for a Popular Movement]].

== Later career ==
From 2012, Bachelot was a contributor in the French adaptation of ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'' alongside to former evening news anchor [[Laurence Ferrari]] and others.

In March 2016, Bachelot commented on [[Rafael Nadal]]'s 2012–2013 injury stating: "On sait à peu près que la fameuse blessure de Rafael Nadal qui a entraîné sept mois d’arrêt de compétition est très certainement due à un contrôle positif."<ref>Translation: "One about knows that Rafael Nadal's famous injury, which caused seven months out of competition, was very certainly due to a positive control."</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/tennis/article/2016/03/11/roselyne-bachelot-rafael-nadal-et-le-dopage_4881445_1616659.html |title=Quand Roselyne Bachelot agace en accusant Rafael Nadal de se doper |publisher=Le Monde.fr |date=11 March 2016 |first=Henri |last=Seckel}}.</ref> In response Nadal sued Bachelot over her comments in April 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2016/04/25/rafael-nadal-sues-former-french-sport-minister-roselyne-bachelot/ |title=Rafael Nadal sues former French sport minister Roselyne Bachelot over doping claims |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=25 April 2016 |first=Simon |last=Briggs|access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> The case was won by Nadal in November 2017 with Bachelot ordered to pay him 12,000 Euros.<ref>{{citation |url=http://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/other_sports/1467116775_518421.html |title=Nadal: date set for tennis ace's lawsuit against Bachelot |publisher=[[Diario AS]] |date=28 June 2016}}.</ref>

In a 2016 [[op-ed]] published by Sunday newspaper ''[[Le Journal du Dimanche]]'', Bachelot joined sixteen other high-profile women from across the political spectrum – including [[Élisabeth Guigou]], [[Christine Lagarde]], and [[Valérie Pécresse]] – in making a public vow to expose “all sexist remarks, inappropriate gestures and behaviour.”<ref>Kim Willsher (May 15, 2016) [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/15/french-former-ministers-launch-attack-on-sexism-in-politics French former ministers launch attack on sexism in politics] ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref>

On the eve of [[International Women's Day]] in 2018, Bachelot – alongside [[Marlène Schiappa]] and others – appeared in a performance of [[Eve Ensler]]'s ''[[The Vagina Monologues|Vagina Monologues]]'' at the [[Bobino]] theater in Paris.<ref>Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (16 March 2018) [https://www.ft.com/content/02fd171a-26aa-11e8-b27e-cc62a39d57a0 Agent provocateur: Marlène Schiappa wages France's gender war] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>

== Return to politics ==
On 6 July 2020, Bachelot was appointed [[Ministry of Culture (France)|Minister of Culture]] in the [[Castex government|government]] of Prime Minister [[Jean Castex]], under the Presidency of [[Emmanuel Macron]]. During her time in office, Bachelot oversaw efforts to stabilize the financial situation of museums, cinemas and theatres affected by public health measures amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France]].<ref>Dominique Vidalon (11 December 2020) [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN28L0RM 'Heartbroken' French minister promises more help for theatres, museums] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> She also worked on a 2021 agreement with [[Benin]]'s [[President of Benin|President]] [[Patrice Talon]] on the return of 26 artworks seized by France in the 19th century from the [[Royal Palaces of Abomey]].<ref>Lucien Libert and Christian Lowe (9 November 2021) [https://www.reuters.com/world/france-officially-signs-over-artworks-taken-ex-colony-benin-2021-11-09/ France officially signs over artworks taken from ex-colony Benin] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref><ref>Victor Mallet (9 November 2021), [https://www.ft.com/content/b182343a-4053-4c08-8647-41679deca0a9 France returns 26 looted treasures and works of art to Benin] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> His ministry applies from 2022 massive cuts in funding for [[archaeology]], in the order of -25% to -50% depending on the region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2022/02/19/l-appel-de-1-600-archeologues-a-roselyne-bachelot-ne-coupez-pas-les-vivres-a-l-archeologie-programmee_6114363_3232.html|title = L'Appel de 1 600 archéologues à Roselyne Bachelot : « Ne coupez pas les vivres à l'archéologie programmée ! »|newspaper = Le Monde.fr|date = 19 February 2022}}</ref> 

==Other activities==
* French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), Vice-President of the Board of Directors<ref>[https://www.iris-france.org/experts-en/ Board of Directors] French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS).</ref>

==Political positions==
Bachelot is a long-time supporter of [[Same-sex marriage in France|same-sex marriage]], and defied her party by speaking on the Assembly floor in favor of passing the [[civil solidarity pact|PACs]] in 1999.<ref>Thibaut Le Gal, [http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1481203-20141115-roselyne-bachelot-pacs-bataille-idees-finalement-gagnee Roselyne Bachelot sur le Pacs: "Cette bataille des idées, je l’ai finalement gagnée"], ''[[20 minutes (France)|20 Minutes]]'', 15 November 2014</ref>

In 2005, Bachelot was one of the few prominent politicians who early and publicly defended [[Ségolène Royal]]'s presidential bid – the first made by a woman in French history – ahead of the [[2007 French presidential election|2007 elections]]<ref>Katrin Bennhold (30 September 2005) [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/30/world/europe/she-thinks-a-womans-place-is-in-the-elyse.html She thinks a woman's place is in the Elysée] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref> and denounced the sexist comments aimed at Royal.<ref>Katrin Bennhold and Judy Dempsey (5 March 2007) [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/world/europe/05iht-royal.4802839.html Upcoming meeting highlights Merkel and Royal's differences] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''.</ref>

In 2012, Bachelot successfully pleaded the case of two French feminist organizations – "Osez le féminisme!" ("Dare to be feminist!") and Les Chiennes de Garde (The Watchdogs) – with Prime Minister François Fillon who subsequently ordered the honorific "[[mademoiselle (title)|mademoiselle]]" – akin to "damsel" and the equivalent of "miss" – banished from official forms and registries across France.<ref>Scott Sayare (22 February 2012) [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/world/europe/france-drops-mademoiselle-from-official-use.html ‘Mademoiselle’ Exits Official France] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>

==Personal life==
Bachelot is married to Jacques Bachelot.<ref name="huffingtonalexandre"/> Her brother-in-law, [[François Bachelot]], served in the National Assembly from 1986 to 1988 as a member of the [[National Rally|National Front]].<ref name="huffingtonalexandre"/>

On 20 March 2021, Roselyne Bachelot tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |title=France's labour minister hospitalised with Covid-19 |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20210322/frances-labour-minister-hospitalised-with-covid-19/ |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=[[The Local]]|date=22 March 2021 |via=www.thelocal.fr}}</ref> On 24 March 2021, she was hospitalized but her condition was determined as "stable and not worrisome."<ref>{{cite news |title=French culture minister hospitalised with Covid-19 as labour minister discharged |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210324-french-culture-minister-roselyne-bachelot-hospitalised-with-covid-19 |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=[[France24]] |date=24 March 2021}}</ref>

==Political career==

'''Governmental functions'''

* Minister for Solidarity and Social Cohesion: 2010–2012.
* Minister of Health, Youth Affairs and Sports: 2007–2010.
* Minister of Environment, Ecology and Sustainable Development: 2002–2004.

'''Electoral mandates'''

'''''European Parliament'''''

* Member of [[European Parliament]]: 2004–2007 (Became minister in 2007, and reelected member of the [[National Assembly of France]] in 2007).

'''''National Assembly of France'''''

* Member of the [[National Assembly of France]] for [[Maine-et-Loire]] (1st constituency) : 1988–2002 (Became minister in 2002) / Reelected in 2007, but she became minister. Elected in 1988, reelected in 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007.

'''''Regional Council'''''

* Vice-president of the [[Regional Council of Pays de la Loire]] : 2001–2004.
* Regional councillor of [[Pays de la Loire]]: 1986–2007 (Resignation). Reelected in 1992, 1998, 2004.

'''''General Council'''''

* General councillor of [[Maine-et-Loire]]: 1982–1988.

==Radio==
* Since 2014 : ''[[Les pieds dans le plat]]'' on [[Europe 1]]
* Since Fall 2015 : ''[[Les Grosses Têtes]]'' on [[RTL (French radio)|RTL]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}

{{Ministers of Culture of France}}
{{Fillon I}}
{{Fillon II}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bachelot, Roselyne}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Nevers]]
[[Category:MEPs for West France 2004–2009]]
[[Category:Ministers of culture of France]]
[[Category:Ministers of health of France]]
[[Category:French people of Breton descent]]
[[Category:Union for a Popular Movement MEPs]]
[[Category:Knights of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:French columnists]]
[[Category:French pharmacists]]
[[Category:Women government ministers of France]]
[[Category:21st-century women MEPs for France]]
[[Category:Ministers of the environment of France]]
[[Category:Deputies of the 13th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic]]
[[Category:Women pharmacists]]
[[Category:21st-century pharmacists]]
[[Category:University of Angers alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians from Pays de la Loire]]