Marine Rosset, a new president engaged on the left for the Scouts and Guides of France

Meeting on Saturday June 14, the Board of Directors of Scouts and Guides of France (SGDF) appointed a new president for the movement: Marine Rosset. Aged 39 years, the latter had long been engaged in SGDFs, first as a guide and chief and then as an administrator since 2019 and especially as vice-president for three years. As such, this appointment is therefore a continuation of the movement.

However, the announcement of the choice of Marine Rosset as president was not without arouse some tensions. The one presented by the SGDF as a “local elected” is indeed at the municipal council of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, elected to this position in 2020 on the lists supporting Anne Hidalgo. The political commitment to the left of Marine Rosset was also manifested last year, when she was a candidate for the legislative elections in the colors of the new Popular Front. On her X account (ex-Twitter), she always presents herself as “PS activist” and her last messages-dating from the beginning of the month-called for “gathering” to “keep Paris on the left”.

The candidacy of Marine Rosset in the elections following the dissolution of the National Assembly was also an opportunity for her to express himself on her personal situation. “I have a child who is a year and a half, (…) This child has two mothers,” she said to the media Emile. “In countries already led by the far right, like Italy, our family would not exist,” she said, clearly expressing a homoparental family. The new president of the SGDF also declared herself in favor of abortion.

Faith as the first “conviction”

According to journalist Jean-Pierre Denis, the situation of Navy Rosset would not have failed to have the chaplains of SGDF react-the movement being in the law of the Church a private association of faithful. Chaplain General of the Movement, Xavier de Verchère would have expressed these doubts before the board of directors, in an attempt without success to oppose the appointment of the new president.

If the profile of Marine Rosset denotes, she nevertheless puts “faith” as the first “conviction” for her mandate. “Born of the omino of the Gospel, (the SGDF movement) remains unique terrain to live spirituality on a daily basis,” she said in a statement accompanying the press release from her appointment, before continuing: “Our movement is precious in the Church”.

It also highlights “engagement” in order to train young people “so that they become peacenies of peace, active citizens, open to the difference, guided by the fraternity”. Third axis put forward by the new president: “Dare to welcome” to “bring together young people who are not alike to have them play and grow together”. A few weeks before the start of the school year and inscriptions within scout movements, these declarations seem as many signals sent to reassure those which would be tense by the profile of the new president.