Macron Proposes Emmanuel Moulin as French Central Bank Governor

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed the appointment of his former chief of staff, Emmanuel Moulin, as governor of the Banque de France, according to a statement from his office. The Elysée Palace announced the consideration on Tuesday, specifying that the proposal came from the prime minister.

Moulin, 57, would succeed François Villeroy de Galhau, who plans to step down in June, more than a year before his six-year term ends. Moulin served as Macron's chief of staff for a year until his replacement last week. Before that role, he was chief of staff to Gabriel Attal during Attal's time as prime minister in 2024 and held a key position at the finance ministry for several years.

If confirmed, Moulin would lead the central bank through the remainder of the next president's term.

The nomination requires review by finance committees in both houses of parliament, which can veto the appointment. Eric Coquerel, head of the finance committee in the lower house, stated he would vote against Moulin, citing concerns over the candidate's ties to the executive branch.

Coquerel argued that Moulin's career history poses risks to the bank's neutrality and independence. " — Elysée Palace statement, May 5, 2026 (Le Monde and AFP).

This proposal follows other recent appointments by Macron of allies to key positions. He named Richard Ferrand to head the country's highest constitutional authority and appointed former public accounts minister Amélie de Montchalin as the top government auditor in February.

That earlier nomination drew criticism for potential conflicts, as Montchalin had been involved in drafting budgets she would later audit. Opposition figures have expressed concerns about these moves as Macron's five-year term approaches its end next year.

The far right is positioning for the upcoming presidential elections, viewing it as an opportunity to gain power. Meanwhile, Moulin's predecessor, Villeroy de Galhau, announced his early departure without specifying reasons in the provided sources.

The appointment process highlights ongoing debates about institutional independence in France. Parliamentary committees will assess Moulin's qualifications in the coming weeks, with hearings expected before a final decision. Both sources confirm the Elysée's announcement but differ slightly in emphasis, with Le Monde noting opposition reactions more extensively.