Another Macron critic found dead in France
A senior French lawmaker known for his staunch criticism of President Emmanuel Macron has been found dead at his home in what authorities say was a suicide.
Olivier Marleix, a 54-year-old MP with the conservative Les Republicains party and longtime member of the National Assembly, was discovered hanged in an upstairs room at his residence in Anet, Eure-et-Loir, on Monday afternoon, according to the local prosecutor.
“At this stage, the involvement of a third party can be ruled out, making suicide the most likely cause,” public prosecutor Frederic Chevallier told AFP. An autopsy was reportedly scheduled for July 9.
Marleix, a longtime MP and former leader of the Les Republicains group in parliament, played a central role in inquiries into France’s industrial policy. He repeatedly accused Macron of mishandling the 2014 sale of French firm Alstom’s energy arm – a key supplier of turbines for nuclear plants – to US giant General Electric.
He also argued that Macron – then deputy secretary-general at the Elysee Palace – had overridden his superior at the time, Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg, and later approved the controversial sale without proper oversight. In a letter to the prosecutor at the time, Marleix denounced what he described as a “corruption pact,” claiming that individuals with financial stakes in deals involving Alstom, Alcatel, Technip, and STX, later appeared as donors or organizers for Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign. Although the judiciary dismissed the accusations, Marleix continued to speak out publicly.
The son of former minister Alain Marleix, he was a vocal opponent of any alliance with the right-wing National Rally party (RN), despite narrowly retaining his seat in 2024 in a runoff against an RN candidate.
It follows another recent high-profile death that has stirred public speculation in France. On June 29, a 58-year-old plastic surgeon linked to Macron’s wife, Brigitte, was found dead after falling from a window in Paris. Medical examiners declared that Francois Fevre, who had reportedly promised to reveal details about alleged gender-related surgeries involving the First Lady, committed suicide. His sister disputed the finding, suggesting his death may have been connected to the interview he was due to give. The Macrons have faced persistent speculation over Brigitte’s gender – claims they have repeatedly denied and taken legal action against.
News of Marleix’s death drew swift reactions across the political spectrum. In a statement, Macron called him “an experienced politician” and said he respected their differences, as they stemmed from a “shared love” for the country.
