Romaric Roignan’s Latest Rotation Between TotalEnergies and French Diplomacy
Romaric Roignan, a seasoned diplomat, has recently embarked on his latest round-trip between the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the energy giant TotalEnergies. This move highlights the ongoing fluidity between these two institutions, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Roignan’s Career: A Tale of Two Worlds
Roignan’s career has been marked by alternating stints in the diplomatic and corporate spheres. After serving as an advisor to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Director of Staff to Secretary of State Annick Girardin, he joined TotalEnergies in 2015. There, he held various positions, including Vice President of North Africa Exploration and Production and Vice President of Environmental and Social Performance.
The TotalEnergies-French Diplomacy Nexus
TotalEnergies maintains significant operations in Africa and the Middle East, including oil and gas extraction in Algeria and distribution in Morocco and Tunisia. The company also has a substantial presence in the Arab Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This geographical alignment creates a natural overlap with French diplomatic interests in these areas.
Roignan’s prior experience at TotalEnergies, notably in Myanmar, further cements his connection to the company and its global reach. His secondment to the French Foreign Ministry in 2007 as an advisor to the international division highlights the longstanding ties between these two entities.
Concerns about Conflict of Interest
The revolving door between TotalEnergies and the French diplomatic corps has drawn scrutiny from the French Senate. In 2024, a commission of inquiry led by senators Yannick Jadot and Roger Karoutchi examined these practices, labeling them as a form of "revolving door" that fosters a lack of transparency and potential bias.
Environmental organizations have also raised concerns about the potential influence of corporate interests on French diplomatic policy, especially in the context of climate change. They argue that the close relationship between TotalEnergies and the Quai d’Orsay may prioritize the company’s economic objectives over France’s climate commitments.
Defenders and Critics of the System
TotalEnergies maintains that its partnership with French diplomacy is mutually beneficial, providing the government with industry expertise and the company with geopolitical insights. Some within the Quai d’Orsay and the Ministry of Economy also support this system, arguing that it strengthens French relations with a major national champion.
However, the Senate inquiry report recommended stricter monitoring of such transitions by the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP), including increased disclosure of interactions between senior executives and diplomats. The HATVP has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this issue.
Conclusion
Romaric Roignan’s latest move further highlights the complex relationship between the French government and TotalEnergies. While this system may provide certain advantages, it also raises concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the potential impact on French foreign policy, particularly in the context of climate change. As the global energy landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how this dynamic will continue to shape the interactions between these two powerful institutions.
