The new French government was unveiled on Thursday afternoon (11 January), with most political heavyweights still in, while the right makes a grand entry with two conservative ministers in top jobs and Renew lead Stéphane Séjourné becomes foreign minister.
The new cabinet comes two days after the historic appointment of 34-year-old Gabriel Attal as France’s youngest-ever prime minister to replace Elisabeth Borne – amid poor Macron results in EU elections polls and a stormy domestic political year.
As per the French constitution, President Emmanuel Macron names the new cabinet, following a formal proposal by the new prime minister.
The Elysée confirmed to Euractiv that this is not the full list, and another round of more junior ministers is due to be announced soon.
Political heavyweights staying put
Most political heavyweights are keeping their seats at the table.
After a heavy dose of hesitancy, including rumours he might take over the foreign affairs portfolio, Bruno Le Maire, a popular figure both in France and the EU, keeps the economy and finance remit, also leading on ‘industrial and digital sovereignty’.
A Germanophone, he’s said to hold close ties with his German counterparts – and spearheaded negotiations over a new economic governance framework alongside Germany’s Christian Lindner. He’s been in post for almost seven years, making him by far the longest-serving French economy minister in modern political history.
Gérald Darmanin keeps the home affairs portfolio, despite his criticised handling of the immigration bill last December, the content of which veered to the hard right to secure conservative and far-right votes. He, alongside Le Maire, is said to have argued against Attal’s appointment.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra sees her sports remit extended to Attal’s former education ministry. She will also take the lead over the Olympic Games, to be organised across France this summer.
Former solidarity minister Aurore Bergé is given the gender equality and anti-discrimination portfolio.
Justice minister Eric Dupont-Moretti, who was recently cleared in a conflict-of-interest trial; defence minister Sébastien Lecornu; agriculture minister Marc Fesneau; higher education minister Sylvie Retailleau and green transition minister Christophe Béchu are staying put.
France’s Macron appoints new PM, hoping to boost EU campaign
Education Minister Gabriel Attal was appointed France’s prime minister on Tuesday (9 January), just months ahead of EU elections, in the hope of setting a new clear political line after heavy political instability that had sapped President Emmanuel Macron’s popularity.
Séjourné FM, right-wing voters cajoled
In a surprise move, Renew Group Secretary General Stéphane Séjourné is leaving the European Parliament to become France’s new foreign minister, replacing former holder Catherine Colonna. This means the Renaissance lead post is still up for grabs.
Meanwhile, with the absence of any absolute majority in Parliament, today’s announcements show Macron’s efforts to appeal to right-wing voters, as two conservative Les Républicains (LR) political figures break ranks with their party and enter government, in the hope of cementing more stable coalitions in the National Assembly going forward.
Rachida Dati, a former candidate for Paris mayorship and former justice minister, becomes culture minister, ousting Rima Abdul Malik. Malik’s tenure was expected to end after she aired the idea back in December that acting mogul Gérard Depardieu, accused of severe sexual harassment and bullying, be stripped of his official state distinction, the Légion d’Honneur – a suggestion actively rebutted by Macron.
Meanwhile, Catherine Vautrin will take over a new super-portfolio that includes labour, health and solidarity. A conservative local political leader with experience as minister in the 2000s, she had made it to the prime minister shortlist in 2022 after Macron’s reelection, eventually losing against Elisabeth Borne, who resigned on Monday (8 January).
The Brief – ‘Baby Macron’ Attal may be short-lived blessing
Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of rising star Gabriel Attal as the new French prime minister on Tuesday is taking the EU elections campaign up a notch – but it’s not without risks of backfiring, and rolling out the red carpet for …
The unknowns
Question marks remain over other significant ministerial names.
Energy transition minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who had led electricity market design negotiations, and was one of the EU’s most vocal nuclear advocates is expected to keep the files under Le Maire’s leadership.
Transports minister – and former EU minister – Clément Beaune may be out for good. Once a close Macron ally, his active criticism of the December immigration bill, during which he had threatened to resign, had dampened his standing. The same goes for former industry minister Roland Lescure, who had expressed discontent towards the piece of legislation.
The lack of clarity also applies to Olivier Dussopt, who spearheaded the government’s contentious pension reform in early 2023. Dussopt is facing prison time over accusations of favouritism in his previous role as mayor of French town Annonay. The ruling is due to come out in the next few days.
It is unclear what the future holds for digital minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]
Read more with Euractiv
Electoral rhetoric and reality of migration set to clash again in 2024In 2024, the contradiction between electoral campaigns and the reality on migration will become increasingly evident.
Source: euractiv.com
