[ad_1]
French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new government on Monday, led by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. This is Macron’s sixth prime minister since taking office and his fourth this year.
The new government is said to be aimed at addressing France’s political and economic challenges. It includes figures from the center and right, but no members of the left-wing New Popular Front.
Elisabeth Borne, a former prime minister, will serve as education minister. Manuel Valls, another former prime minister, returns to government as overseas territories minister. Gerald Darmanin, the former interior minister, is the new justice minister. Sebastien Lecornu will stay as defense minister and Jean-Noel Barrot continues as foreign minister. Additionally, Bruno Retailleau stays as interior minister and Rachida Dati as culture minister. Eric Lombard, head of the Caisse des Depots, will take over as the economy minister.
The inclusion of two former prime ministers suggests Macron’s focus on government stability after the previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, lost a no-confidence vote. Key priorities for the new government include passing the 2025 budget and addressing the aftermath of the deadly cyclone in Mayotte.
Talking about the appointments, Bayrou said, “I’m very proud of the team we’re presenting this evening… [My] ‘experienced’ cabinet would aim to ‘rebuild trust’.”
Xavier Bertrand, named as new health minister, declined to join the government, claiming it was formed with the implicit “backing” of far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Bertrand said, “The prime minister informed me this morning, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, that he was no longer in a position to entrust me with responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from (Le Pen’s) National Rally…Despite his new proposals, I refuse to take part in a government of France formed with the backing of Marine Le Pen.” Le Pen faces trial on embezzlement charges in March 2025.
France’s new government was anticipated since 73-year-old Francois Bayrou assumed the role of prime minister on December 13, following the collapse of the previous conservative administration as Michel Barnier was removed as PM after a no-confidence vote. The announcement reportedly faced slight delay as France observed a national day of mourning for the victims of the Mayotte cyclone disaster which resulted in at least 35 fatalities.
Macron’s government has faced challenges since snap elections earlier this year resulted in a divided parliament. Le Pen has suggested Macron may eventually resign and that she is preparing for an early presidential election.
[ad_2]
Source link
