French Sen. François-Noël Buffet, a member of the right-wing Les Républicains party, was nominated last month to the position of Defender of Rights (DDD) and was approved by parliament in a 43-39 vote on Tuesday. Buffet’s nomination drew criticism because he opposes marriage equality and reproductive health care.
Buffet will now serve a six-year term as DDD that can’t be revoked before it’s over. The independent position, which is named in the constitution, will require him to be a watchdog for rights and freedoms, according to Le Figaro. The office comes with significant investigative powers and can intervene in certain areas related to whistleblowers, children’s rights, and discrimination.
Something not mentioned in the article is that in 2024 he voted for a transphobic law that would have prevented minors from being called by their preferred name in school.
Thanks for pointing that out. It sounds like this person is going to be truly horrific for human rights in France for the next 6 years.