politics

OIF Summit: Macron calls for building consensus

At the opening of the OIF summit in Cambodia, Emmanuel Macron called for building consensus to preserve unity in the face of the organization's expansion.

france, canada, paris, francophonie, emmanuel macron, consensus, préserver, emmanuel

Key facts

  • In 2022, the OIF nevertheless adopted a procedure that provides for a simple-majority vote in the absence of consensus. This rule opens the way to a…
  • Emmanuel Macron called, at the opening of the summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Cambodia, for consensus to be…
  • This call places unity at the centre of the summit, while the appointment of OIF officials remains a source of tension. Consensus, the traditional…

In 2022, the OIF nevertheless adopted a procedure that provides for a simple-majority vote in the absence of consensus. This rule opens the way to a decision even if the members fail to agree.

Emmanuel Macron called, at the opening of the summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Cambodia, for consensus to be built in order to preserve unity. The expansion of the organisation"imposes on us"this requirement, he said, according to AFP.

This call places unity at the centre of the summit, while the appointment of OIF officials remains a source of tension. Consensus, the traditional method of appointment within the organisation, is also favoured by Canada.

Since the adoption of this procedure, the country with the second-largest number of French speakers after France has threatened to leave the organisation if the outgoing secretary-general were re-elected. That country has 57.3 million speakers, according to the OIF.

Dig deeper

What is the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF)?

It is the organization that brings together states and governments sharing the French language, and that traditionally designates its leaders by consensus.

Who is Emmanuel Macron?

He is the president of the French Republic and is speaking at the opening of the OIF summit in Cambodia, on behalf of one of the main member countries.

What does the procedure adopted in 2022 change?

It allows a simple-majority vote if consensus fails, which makes a decision possible even without the agreement of all members.

Which country has 57.3 million French speakers?

It is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presented as the second-largest French-speaking country after France, which has threatened to leave the OIF if the outgoing secretary-general were re-elected.

Why is Canada mentioned?

A major member of La Francophonie, Canada also wants consensus to be maintained for designating the OIF's leaders.

What is at stake?

The unity of the organization, as its expansion makes consensus more demanding and the designation of its leaders remains tense.

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