President Emmanuel Macron introduced a restructured government on Monday night, placing François Bayrou at the helm as his fourth prime minister in just a year. The shake-up reflects a decisive effort to pull France, the EU’s second-largest economy, out of its current political deadlock.
In a significant political shake-up, former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, aged 63, has been named education minister in a new cabinet led by François Bayrou, an appointment officially announced by Élysée Secretary-General Alexis Kohler.
Manuel Valls, 62, a former prime minister, has made a political comeback as overseas territories minister, while Gérald Darmanin, the former interior minister, has transitioned to the role of justice minister in the reshuffled cabinet.
The presidency announced that both Sébastien Lecornu, the 38-year-old defence minister, and Jean-Noël Barrot, the foreign minister, would remain in their current roles. Lecornu, a steadfast Macron loyalist with a knack for political maneuvering, has held cabinet posts in every administration since 2017.
Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also stayed in their posts.
The difficult job of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, head of public-sector lender Caisse des Depots (CDC), who was named economy minister.
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“I’m very proud of the team we’re presenting this evening,” Bayrou said on X, adding his “experienced” cabinet would aim to “rebuild trust”.
The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron’s desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Bayrou had hoped to bring in figures from the left, right and centre to protect his government from possible censure, but his 35-member team does not include any members of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front.
Macron will assemble Bayrou’s team on January 3 for a first Council of Ministers meeting, the presidency said.
