Controversial Inserm head moves to Council of State

The former head of France’s national agency for health research Inserm has been appointed to a senior role with one of France’s most important government institutions, after his application for reappointment to lead the medical body sparked complaints.

Yves Lévy, who is married to health minister Agnès Buzyn, was confirmed as an extraordinary member of the Council of State in a presidential decree published on 11 October. Another decree, published on 13 October, said Claire Giry, the deputy director of Inserm, would take over as interim director.

Lévy was chief executive of Inserm from 2014 until his term came to an end in June and he became interim chief executive. He applied to be reappointed as chief executive but this drew widespread criticism because of the potential conflicts of interest with his wife’s role.