Jean-Sébastien Lefebvre

Editor-in-chief, Brussels

I joined Contexte when it was founded in September 2013. I later had several positions within the editorial department: I was a journalist for the “Numérique” and “Pouvoirs” sections, section manager and head of the Brussels office, and then deputy editor-in-chief in 2021. In 2022, I became the editor-in-chief of the newspaper’s Brussels office. I’ve been covering European politics for more than 15 years. This experience has taken me from eurozone crises to Brexit, European elections, Covid-19 and the consequences of the war in Ukraine. I’ve also had the opportunity to delve into key issues like the GDPR’s creation, the Common Agricultural Policy reforms and trade policy. I’ve also worked from the EU capital – for Contexte and as an independent journalist (2009-2011) – and later from Paris. I worked there for Euractiv (2011-2013) and cafebabel (2008).

In 2023, I became part of the jury of the Louise Weiss Prize for European journalism. Since 2012, I have been a lecturer on several academic courses, mainly at the Catholic University of the West ([UCO by its acronym in French], 2012-2022) and the Practical Journalism Institute (since 2017). I have a degree in History (UCO, Angers), a Master’s in Comparative Political Cultures (Université de Paris-Est / Tischner European University, Krakow) and a degree from the College of Europe (Natolin, Warsaw).

jslefebvre@contexte.com PGP Key

Disclosure of interests

Other professional activities for which I have been paid or received a bonus since starting at Contexte

My main employer is Contexte SAS. I occasionally teach at a journalism school or university. I occasionally appear in the media to analyse European current affairs, always free of charge. I do not provide consultancy services or any activity whatsoever for organisations covered by or clients of Contexte. I do not accept gifts or payment from these organisations, and I do not have any family connections with one or several of these organisations.

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Shares or debt in a company that may be subject to editorial coverage

I have nothing to declare in this respect.

Current membership on the board of directors of a public or private organisation (association, company) that may be subject to editorial coverage

I have nothing to declare in this respect.

Current volunteer role in an association advocating public policy, regular donations and active affiliation with a political party or trade union

I have nothing to declare in this respect.

Elected positions and posts

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Family connections* with a significant professional or activist role in public or private organisations that may be subject to editorial coverage

I do not have any ascending or descending family members, nor a spouse, with a significant professional or activist role in public or private organisations that may be subject to editorial coverage, either in Paris or Brussels.

*Relatives in the ascending or descending line, a spouse, a civil partner or a stable partner.