Lucas Philippe from France elected as new Interpol president in Marrakech
The 93rd General Assembly of Interpol, held this week in Marrakech, elected Frenchman Lucas Philippe as the new president of the international criminal police organization for a four-year term. Philippe, who previously served as Inspector General and advisor for European and international affairs at the French National Police, succeeds Emirati Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi, whose term has ended.
The election was conducted under the principle of “one country, one vote,” which is the foundation of Interpol’s internal governance. Lucas Philippe received 84 votes, amounting to 51.2% of the total, surpassing Turkish candidate Mustafa Serkan Sapanca, who garnered 60 votes (36.6%). Namibian candidate Anne-Marie Nainda received 12 votes (7.3%), while Ethiopian candidate Dimlash Gbemichael Wedis received 8 votes (4.9%).
The new president is tasked with ensuring the strategic coherence of Interpol’s operations, chairing the executive committee meetings that oversee the implementation of decisions adopted by the General Assembly, as well as leading the annual sessions of the General Assembly and three sessions of the executive committee.
This position, which is part-time and unpaid, comes with the responsibility of ensuring that the organization’s activities align with the directions set by member states and maintaining a direct and ongoing relationship with the Interpol Secretary-General.
Philippe’s election occurs at a time when international cooperation is intensifying to combat terrorism, transnational organized crime, and cyber threats—issues that were central to discussions at the 93rd General Assembly in Marrakech.
