Valérie Létard (; born 13 October 1962) is a French politician of the Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI) who served as Minister of Housing in the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. She previously served in junior cabinet positions in the government of François Fillon from 2007 to 2010.
Political career Early career Since 10 April 2008, Létard has been the president of the Valenciennes Agglomeration Community, elected with 83 percent of the vote.Bruno Jeudy (16 November 2016), Jeannette Bougrab : "Je reste fidèle à Sarkozy" Paris Match.
Career in government Létard served in the government of Prime Minister François Fillon under President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, first as Secretary of State for Solidarity (2007-2009)Katrin Bennhold (20 June 2007), Sarkozy Reshuffles Cabinet After an Election Setback New York Times. and later for Climate (2009-2010).interview with Jean-Pierre Thiollet, France-Soir, 26 VII 2009, http://www.francesoir.fr/pratique/emploi/valerie-letard%C2%A0-“220000-emplois-verts-sont-creer-d’ici-2012”-40902.html During her time in office, she launched the government’s campaign in 2009 to warn potential victims of forced marriages and female genital mutilation.Sophie Hardach (14 April 2009), France warns against forced marriages, mutilation Reuters.
Member of the Senate, 2010–2023 In the Senate, Létard served on the Committee on Social Affairs and the Committee on Economic Affairs.Valérie Létard Senate of France.
On 1 October 2011 Létard was a candidate for the Presidency of the Senate, against the outgoing president, Gérard Larcher (UMP) and Jean-Pierre Bel (PS). She received 29 votes.Noémie Bisserbe (3 October 2011), French Socialist Elected Speaker Wall Street Journal.
Ahead of the Republicans’ 2016 primaries, Létard endorsed Alain Juppé as the party’s candidate for 2017 presidential elections. In March 2017, in the context of the Fillon affair, she called on LR candidate François Fillon to withdraw his candidacy.
Following the 2017 legislative elections, Létard reportedly refused offers to become Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in Prime Minister Édouard Philippe’s government.Laurent Decotte (16 May 2017), Ministre du Logement et de la Ville ? Valérie Létard (UDI) a dit non à Macron La Voix du Nord. On 4 October 2017 she was elected vice-president of the French Senate instead, under the leadership of Gérard Larcher.
Minister of Housing and Urban Renovation, 2024–present On 21 September 2024, Létard appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Renovation in the government of Michel Barnier.
References
External links Official web site of Valérie Létard Her biography on the web site of the French Senate