The French government underwent its second reshuffle since June 2022 on Thursday (July 20), with seven ministers being pushed out, including those in charge of health and education.
The relative majority of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party was not extended to other political forces, although Macron had hoped to shore up political support.
Changes in Health and Education
It is mainly ministers from civil society who are leaving, replaced by more political figures. National Education Minister Pap Ndiaye will be replaced by thirty-four-year-old Gabriel Attal, hitherto minister delegate for public accounts.
Member of Parliament Thomas Cazenave will take over the budgetary dossiers, under the leadership of Bruno Le Maire, who remains at the helm of the super-ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.
The other major replacement is that of Health Minister François Braun, who will be succeeded by Aurélien Rousseau, a senior civil servant, who had been the chief of staff of the prime minister’s office until a few days ago.
Jean-Christophe Combe, the former head of the French Red Cross who became Minister for Solidarity in July 2022, will be replaced by Aurore Bergé, the chairperson of the Renaissance group at the National Assembly, who will be responsible for family affairs and the elderly. Fadila Khattabi, Chair of the Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee, will be responsible for disability issues, taking over from Geneviève Darrieusecq.
Jean-François Carenco (Overseas France will be replaced by Philippe Vigier (MoDem). The Minister for Towns and Housing Olivier Klein is also leaving but his portfolio will be shared between Patrice Vergriete (Housing), and Sabrina Agresti-Roubache (Urban Affairs).
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No changes in the regal ministries
Marlène Schiappa, the secretary of state for the social and solidarity economy, is leaving the government after six years, due to the recent controversies over the mismanagement of a public fund and her posing for the cover of Playboy magazine.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who was once considered as a possible prime minister, will keep his portfolio. His role in restoring calm after the urban riots in June was appreciated by the Élysée Palace.
Macron is due to address the nation in the coming days, before his departure for Oceania on Sunday (23 July).
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[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
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