French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to announce a cabinet reshuffle.
Macron expressed gratitude for Borne’s “work in the service of our nation that has been exemplary every day”. Borne, appointed in May 2022, is the second female prime minister in French history. She will serve as caretaker until a new government is appointed.
Ms Elisabeth Borne today submitted the resignation of the government to the president, who accepted it.
The president intensified rumours of a government reshuffle in December, promising a new political initiative after the 2023 political crisis caused by pension and immigration reforms.
The move comes just five months before the European Parliament elections. Opinion polls show Macron’s party trailing Marine Le Pen by about 8-10 points ahead of the June elections.
One of two potential candidates is expected to take the prime minister’s post: education minister Gabriel Attal, 34, and defence minister Sebastien Lecornu, 37. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie have also been mentioned by experts as possible nominees.
Macron and his Borne-led government have struggled to cope with a more turbulent parliament when passing laws since losing their absolute majority shortly after Macron was re-elected for a second term in 2022. However, Macron’s decision to use executive power last year to pass a controversial increase in the retirement age to 64 sparked weeks of protests.
The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race for the next presidential election in 2027. Le Maire, former prime minister Edouard Philippe, and current interior minister Gerald Darmanin are seen as potential candidates.
