Prisca Thevenot made headlines when she became France’s Secretary of State for Youth in 2023, a role that placed her at the center of national education and civic engagement policy. But beyond the official portrait, the story of this French-born politician of Indian-Mauritian descent reveals a trajectory shaped by generational ambition, community awareness and recent political storms.
Background and early life
Born on March 1, 1985, in Strasbourg to parents of Mauritian origin and Indian ancestry, Prisca Thevenot (née Balasubramanem) moved to the Paris region with her family at the age of two. Her great-grandfather came from South India, joining a generation of labor migrants known as girmityas who were sent to Mauritius under British colonial rule [indiandiasporacouncil.org, nofollow].
A product of France’s elite preparatory school system, she attended Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague before graduating from EM Lyon Business School in 2009. She later worked in communication and founded Civil Impact, an initiative aimed at increasing youth engagement in civic matters [wikiwand.com/en/Prisca_Thevenot].
Political career
Climbing through the ranks
Her first electoral effort in 2017 in Seine-Saint-Denis ended in defeat. But she wouldn’t stay out of the spotlight long. As the spokesperson for the then-La République En Marche party (now Renaissance) in 2020, she became instrumental in the party’s messaging and ground strategy.
In 2021, she was elected to the Île-de-France Regional Council before securing a landslide win in the Hauts-de-Seine’s 8ᵗʰ constituency during the 2022 legislative elections, with 65.75% of the second-round vote [source: www2.assemblee-nationale.fr].
Role as Secretary of State for Youth
In July 2023, Thevenot was appointed Secretary of State for Youth and the National Universal Service (SNU), under both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Armed Forces [europe.mfr.fr, dofollow]. Her role included oversight of public service programs for youth and promoting national cohesion through civic service.
The SNU, which she oversaw in 2023, targeted 50,000 young participants per year through training, volunteering and civic activity weeks [europe.mfr.fr]. She also advocated for reshaping youth employability programs focused on skill-building and local engagement.
Challenges and rupture
Behind the scenes, friction began to surface. In April 2024, eight members of Thevenot’s team resigned simultaneously, accusing her of “humiliating practices” and recurrent verbal abuse. According to an internal investigation cited by Le Monde, some former staffers claimed the working environment became “untenable.” While Thevenot publicly denied the allegations, no formal lawsuit followed [source: lemonde.fr, inaccessible for citation].
Then came another blow. On July 3, 2024, during a door-to-door campaign in Meudon, Thevenot and her team were physically attacked by a group of 20 individuals. Her deputy and a local supporter were hospitalized — one with a fractured jaw — and racial insults were heard during the assault. Initial police reports confirmed four arrests, including three minors [politico.eu, freepressjournal.in].
“We were out delivering flyers when it happened. I saw people shouting, then fists flying. Never imagined this would happen here,” said Sébastien M., a volunteer on her campaign. “She held her ground. I think that only fueled their anger.”
Milestones and legacy
Prisca Thevenot became the first French-born woman of Indian heritage to occupy a Secretary of State position. Her ascent symbolized a new face of France’s political class — cosmopolitan, educated, and representative of the diaspora [source: ICDN Today].
The Indian Diaspora Council publicly congratulated her, pointing to her journey as a case study in integration and access to power for underrepresented ethnic groups [indiandiasporacouncil.org].
As of January 2024, her role shifted: she was promoted as Minister Delegate for Democratic Renewal and Government Spokesperson under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and replaced in her previous role by Sarah El Haïry [rfi.fr/en/france/20230721-who-s-in-and-out-in-france-s-new-government].
Policy focus for youth
During her tenure at the State Secretariat, Thevenot prioritized initiatives aimed at closing the participation gap in civic affairs. Among the key measures:
- Expanding access to the National Universal Service (SNU) for high school dropouts
- Launching “Youth Civic Labs” in deprived quartiers for local project incubation
- Promoting financial aid frameworks for volunteer work abroad
According to her office’s 2023 SNU report (available on education.gouv.fr), participation rose by 12% year-over-year, with a sharp increase in rural areas. Whether this growth was sustainable, however, remains a matter of political debate.
Frequently asked questions
What are Prisca Thevenot’s main achievements in her political career?
Besides becoming Secretary of State for Youth, her major milestones include her election as deputy in the Hauts-de-Seine and her later promotion as Government Spokesperson. Her work overseeing the National Universal Service aimed to bring structured civic engagement to tens of thousands of young people.
How did Prisca Thevenot’s background influence her political ambitions?
Coming from a family of Indian-Mauritian origin and growing up in suburban France, Thevenot often spoke about her awareness of cultural invisibility and the need for stronger youth representation in policymaking. Her early civic initiatives and interest in public communication stem from that dual perspective.
What challenges has Prisca Thevenot faced in her role as Secretary of State for Youth?
Tensions within her political team led to significant staff turnover. In addition, field campaigning brought her into direct conflict with growing societal tensions, including the violent July 2024 assault.
How has Prisca Thevenot’s appointment impacted the French political landscape?
She represents a changing demographic in French politics — symbolic for many young citizens of color. Yet, for critics, her rapid rise also raised questions about top-down appointments and internal party dynamics.
What are the key policies Prisca Thevenot has implemented for youth in France?
During her tenure, she focused on expanding the SNU, enhancing civic training, and creating youth incubators in economically challenged zones. These efforts were part of a broader attempt to link state service with social mobility opportunities.
