Geoffroy Didier (; born 12 April 1976) is a French lawyer and politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from December 2017 to July 2024. A member of The Republicans (LR), he has also held a seat in the Regional Council of Île-de-France since 2010.
Early life and education Didier graduated from Sciences Po in 1998 and obtained a master's degree in business law from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas in 1999. He also holds a degree from ESSEC Business School (2004).
Political career Career in national politics In 2008, Didier worked as an advisor to Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Cooperative Development Brice Hortefeux in the government of Prime Minister François Fillon.Caroline Brothers (18 October 2008), France decides not to deport group of 43 Afghans International Herald Tribune.
During the campaign for the 2012 presidential election, Didier served as deputy spokesman for candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, along with Franck Riester, Guillaume Peltier, Valérie Debord and Salima Saa. After the elections, he joined forces with Guillaume Peltier in founded The Strong Right, a conservative faction within the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).UMP : la Droite forte en tête du scrutin, Le Figaro, 20 November 2012 He also became the party's deputy secretary general, under the leadership of chairman Jean-François Copé.Laurence Frost (2 February 2014), French gay marriage protest draws thousands Reuters. In addition, he became a member of the Friends of Nicolas Sarkozy group.Hugh Carnegy (1 January 2014), Speculation mounts over a return by Nicolas Sarkozy Financial Times.
Considered close to Valérie Pécresse, Didier played a prominent role in many of her political campaigns, including when she became the head of the Paris region in the 2015 elections.Maïa de La Baume (8 February 2022), Meet the French MEPs who shape the presidential race Politico Europe.
In March 2016, Didier announced his candidacy for the Republicans’ primaries ahead of the 2017 French presidential election,Philippe Goulliaud (29 March 2016), « Geoffroy Didier se lance dans la primaire pour incarner "la relève" » Le Figaro. but failed to secure a sufficient number of votes. He later endorsed Alain JuppéSophie Louet (15 November 2016), Le "sarkozyste" Geoffroy Didier votera Juppé à la primaire Reuters. as the party's candidate for the office of President of France before supporting the campaign of François Fillon.
Member of the European Parliament, 2017–2024 Didier unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for the 2014 European elections.Européennes: G.Didier investi candidat UMP Le Figaro, 24 April 2014. However, when Constance Le Grip stood down as a Member of the Parliament to move to the National Assembly, Didier took her seat in June 2017. During his time in parliament, he served on the Committee on Legal Affairs, where he became the parliament's rapporteur on the 2021 Digital Services Act.Movers & Shakers The Parliament Magazine, May 21, 2021. In 2020, he also joined the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age.Members of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age European Parliament, press release of July 9, 2020.
In addition to his committee assignments, Didier was a member of the delegation for relations with the United States.
In the party's 2017 leadership election, Didier supported Laurent Wauquiez.Ludovic Vigogne (11 October 2017), La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez L'Opinion. When Wauquiez resigned from the Republicans’ leadership in 2019, Didier was considered by news media as a potential successor but soon announced that he would not be putting himself forward for the position; instead, he endorsed Christian Jacob.Alexandre Sulzer (15 July 2019), Geoffroy Didier : «J’ai décidé de lancer un mouvement» Le Parisien.
In addition to his parliamentary mandate, Didier worked for law firm CARLARA with offices in Paris and Brussels.Sarah Wheaton and Giovanna Coi (6 May 2024), How MEPs make millions on the side: Legal advice, speeches and Covid cures Politico Europe.
Later political career In the Republicans' 2025 leadership election, Didier endorsed Wauquiez to succeed Éric Ciotti as the party's new chair and joined his campaign team.Emmanuel Galiero (11 March 2025), Présidence des Républicains : Laurent Wauquiez dévoile son équipe et sa stratégie Le Figaro.
Political positions In early 2020, Didier called on High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in a letter to suspend the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement and demand action against cases of so-called parental child abduction affecting Europeans living in Japan.Marine Strauss and Chang-Ran Kim (17 February 2020), Two fathers demand action against Japan over parental child abduction Reuters.
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