President Emmanuel Macron's chief of staff and closest adviser Alexis Kohler is leaving the Élysée Palace this week for a top role at banking giant Société Générale, ending an eight-year partnership that shaped France's political landscape.
Kohler, often described as "Macron's second brain", will begin his new position as executive vice-president in June, where he will oversee mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and acquisition finance.
The move marks the end of an era for one of France's most powerful behind-the-scenes political figures. Since Macron's election in 2017, Kohler has served as his chief of staff throughout both presidential terms.
Their relationship began long before Macron entered the Élysée.
Both men are alumni of France's prestigious École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) – the elite school that has produced many of the country's top civil servants and politicians.
"Their shared background, intellectual affinity, and years of collaboration cultivated a bond of deep trust and mutual reliance," said a source close to the presidency.
Judges rule top Macron aide can face conflict of interest trial
Architect of economic reforms
Prior to joining Macron at the Élysée, Kohler worked closely with him as director of his cabinet when Macron served as economy minister under Socialist president François Hollande from 2014 to 2016.
That period cemented their partnership, with Kohler widely credited as one of the key architects behind Macron's pro-business economic reforms.
His ability to operate quietly and efficiently earned him immense influence, and insiders often noted how few decisions were made in the Macron administration without his input.
Kohler's move to Société Générale represents a notable shift, yet not entirely surprising. Before entering public service, he held positions in the private sector, including a stint with the Mediterranean Shipping Company, a Swiss-Italian firm with which his family had ties.
That connection once led to a conflict of interest investigation in 2018, but French financial prosecutors dropped the case in 2019, citing lack of evidence.
Macron's chief of staff to face alleged corruption probe
Macron's twilight years
Kohler's departure comes as Macron enters the final years of his presidency, with the political landscape expected to shift ahead of the 2027 election.
Kohler also made headlines recently for refusing to appear before a senate commission investigating Nestlé’s alleged illegal treatment of mineral water.
The French presidency has confirmed that Emmanuel Moulin will take over as chief of staff on 14 April.
Moulin is a former treasury chief who most recently served as the head of former prime minister Gabriel Attal’s office.
