Share :

Download PDF :

Politico (10 April 2025)

Marion Solletty and Pauline de Saint Remy

Dominique de Villepin hasn’t been in government in France for more than a decade. The crowning moment of his career — his impassioned speech at the U.N. against the U.S.’s pending invasion of Iraq — took place when France’s current foreign minister was just a teenager.

But the sophisticated, silver-haired bête noire of the Bush administration is enjoying an unexpected moment of fame. What began as a return to the spotlight by criticizing the scale of Israel’s retaliation to the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack led by Hamas has morphed into a full-on media blitz with domestic and international press.

To what end, remains a mystery. The 71-year-old is said to be considering a run for president but has repeatedly ducked the question, including in an interview with POLITICO. He also vigorously denies his media campaign is designed to lobby for foreign powers, notably from the Middle East, or to raise the profile of his consulting firm, Villepin International.

Click for more