Manon Aubry

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It’s crazy to think that Manon Aubry, already 35 years old, born on December 22, 1989, in Fréjus, has become one of the most prominent voices of the European left. At 1.72 meters tall, this French politician does not go unnoticed, neither by her stature, nor by her commitment, nor by her presence in the European Parliament. Well, you might say, she is mainly known as an MEP and as co-chair of the Left group since 2019.

But behind this busy political career lies a meaningful path. Coming from a family where politics is in the air (her father is a journalist and her mother a political activist), Manon chose activism very early. It’s no surprise to see her tackle hot topics like tax evasion or social issues. It is in these fights that she forged her public identity, always on the side of the oppressed, and with a frankness that doesn’t go unnoticed.

Even before setting foot in the European Parliament, her experience at Oxfam France weighed heavily. For several years, she campaigned against inequalities and the great fortunes that dodge taxes, which certainly didn’t improve her reputation as a “woman who disturbs.” Frankly, it builds a personality! And imagine, her activist career even started in Africa, where she worked on human rights issues in Liberia and the DRC.

That’s why her nomination as head of the La France insoumise list in the 2019 European elections made quite a splash. Her election to the European Parliament with a respectable score, then her re-election in 2024 with an even more impressive result of 9 seats for LFI bear witness to this. She continues to embody the energy of a left that refuses to give up the fight, whether for fiscal justice or human rights.

Who is Manon Aubry, this committed MEP shaking up European politics?

Manon Aubry is an activist who entered politics with rare energy. Even though she was born in Fréjus, in Var, you feel she has always been keen to go beyond borders, whether geographic or ideological. By the way, she studied at Sciences Po Paris, an elite often criticized, but she managed to use it to strengthen her convictions, especially in human rights and development. In fact, during her studies, she was even the local president of UNEF, the student union.

What struck me is her very early commitment to youth struggles. You know, in 2006, she was already all in against the First Employment Contract, organizing high school blockades… not the type to back down, huh. And she kept going, never betraying her values. A fine example of perseverance that commands respect.

Another thing I found really human is that she practiced competitive swimming when she was younger. Yes, she has that sporty side! She still plays water polo in Paris, which is no small feat when you know how much energy it requires. This combative side on sports fields fits well with her fiery political temperament.

Oh, and I cannot forget to mention her family, because she is quite rooted in an environment where politics and journalism are well known. Her mother, Catherine Poggi-Aubry, is also a recognized activist, and her grandfather was a left-wing militant in Corsica. It’s a whole political heritage, but also a source of inspiration.

Professional background before fame: from humanitarian fieldwork to NGOs

Manon is not the type to settle for speeches. After her studies, she went straight to the field, in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she worked with Médecins du Monde and The Carter Center. There, she closely monitored the human rights situation and more specifically the damage caused by mining exploitation, a burning issue that undoubtedly left a deep mark on her.

Then, her commitment became internationalized with Oxfam France, where she became the leading mind in the fight against tax evasion and inequalities. That, my friends, gave her a seriously powerful platform. She released several reports that lit a fire under things, denouncing multinational companies’ practices that circumvent rules to rake in huge profits.

At the same time, she never gave up her other passion: teaching. Since 2014, she shares her knowledge of human rights at Sciences Po Paris. That alone. You feel a woman who loves to pass on, to shift the lines, both with activists and students.

Not to mention that she loves challenges: in 2019, she even embarked on a bike trip — yes yes — to go meet citizens often forgotten in the big European machine. She wanted to show that politics can be done differently, closer to the ground, more committed. Frankly, it’s refreshing in a world often too rigid.

Highlights of Manon Aubry’s political career in Brussels and Strasbourg

Elected in 2019 as head of the LFI list, she became the youngest group chair in the European Parliament, co-chairing with German MEP Martin Schirdewan. A weighty role when you know she proposes her ideas and truly influences debates at the heart of economic, legal, and development committees.

She has also taken frankly blunt stances, notably denouncing the opacity of European institutions or firmly opposing tax evasion, with a gesture that made me smile: giving Jean-Claude Juncker a pack of fake bills upon his departure, a sharp attack against the Luxembourg Leaks scandal.

On the confrontation side, Manon often stirred the pot. She received a reprimand in 2019 for encouraging an occupation of the European Parliament by Extinction Rebellion. Also, she was fined for helping migrants in Calais, resisting laws prohibiting solidarity. You can tell she’s ready to fight, even at the risk of offending.

She is often at the center of controversies, notably regarding her statements on racism or international diplomacy issues. That divides, but says a lot about her style: no sugarcoating, and a political vision she fully owns, even if it shakes things up.

A list of commitments and projects carried by Manon Aubry as a European elected official

  • 🌍 Fight against tax evasion by multinationals, especially European tax havens.
  • 🤝 Defense of human rights, notably migrants, with a direct and supportive approach.
  • 🚴‍♀️ Initiatives to bring citizens closer to European institutions, such as the 2019 bike trip.
  • ⚖️ Protection of women, with strong actions against femicides and sexist violence.
  • 🦠 Commitment to transparency in health management, as during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • 🌱 Support for ecological policies through the Green New Deal intergroup.

All this, combined with a sometimes very sharp opposition stance, which sometimes grinds teeth but encourages debate and reflection. In short, Manon Aubry is a figure that does not leave people indifferent.

What is known (or not) about Manon Aubry’s private life, between family and commitments

You know what? Despite her busy career, Manon doesn’t come out of all the celebrity buzz. No flashy weddings nor ultra-mediated life. But we know her family is also very involved in politics: her mother even ran under her colors for La France insoumise in legislative elections. That’s quite a rare thing, this family transmission.

And even in her hobbies, we find that fierce energy. Her attachment to water polo, a passion she still practices in Paris, shows she knows how to unwind and keep a balanced life. In Paris, it seems she has loyal friends and remains accessible despite her status.

It’s quite paradoxical, her profile. Both a serious and rigorous activist, but also a girl close to the ground, to people, who doesn’t want politics to be a separate world. You feel it really matters to her to stay connected to real society.

The engaged family side, grassroots activism, makes her image more human, more tangible than this “MEP” caricature. And that, for me, is the key to understanding why she appeals to quite a few people, even if not everyone agrees with her.

Controversies and memorable moments that have marked her political journey

You have to say Manon Aubry has never shied away from controversy. An excess of frankness, no doubt. For example, in 2020, she caused an uproar by relativizing certain forms of racism, which sparked strong reactions in the media. Far from being an accident, it’s rather her style to question everything.

In 2024 also, her nuanced position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made waves. She advocated for diplomacy and defended a certain sensitivity towards Ukraine and Russia, which doesn’t always align with her camp’s majority line. An attitude that earns her criticism but illustrates her desire to break the mold.

We can also mention her candidacy as head of the LFI list in 2024, where she significantly improved the party’s results, reaching almost 10% of the vote. Frankly, it was not guaranteed, and hats off.

The past months have also seen her confrontation with Valérie Hayer, with a defamation lawsuit and all the fuss. Goes to show, even in Brussels, things move in “serious but not tame” mode. This kind of turn of events makes the European political scene a bit more human (and funnier).

To follow her stances and news, I really invite you to visit her official site or her Facebook page. That’s where she often shares her rants and fights, always with that contagious energy.

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