French President Emmanuel Macron has approved the country’s new government. The list was read out by Alexis Kohler, secretary general of the Elysee Palace, on Monday.
Macron reappointed several members of Barnier’s team, including Bruno Retailleau as interior minister, Jean-Noël Barrot as foreign minister and Sébastien Lecornu as defence minister. The president also inducted two former prime ministers into the cabinet, with Élisabeth Borne returning with the education portfolio and Manuel Valls becoming Minister of Overseas Territories.
Among the changes in the government’s composition, former Interior Ministry head Gerald Darmanin is the new Minister of Justice. Also a member of the government became a former prime minister, left-wing politician Manuel Valls – he was approved for the post of Minister of overseas territories of France.
Four female ministers from Michel Barnier’s previous government have also joined the new cabinet. Rachida Dati will head the Ministry of Culture, while Catherine Vautrin will take over as Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity and Family. Agnès Pannier-Runachet will retain her post as Minister of Environmental Transition, Biodiversity, Fisheries, Marine and Forestry. Annie Genevard has been appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.
On December 4, the National Assembly of France adopted a resolution of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. 331 deputies voted in favour of the vote of no confidence.
On December 13, 73-year-old leader of the centrist party “Democratic Movement” Francois Bayrou was appointed the new Prime Minister of France.
Macron, during his address to the nation, said that he was not going to leave the post of president until the end of his term in 2027. He also reminded that he will not be able to run for re-election.
The founder of the party “France Unbowed” Jean-Luc Melenchon at the same time said that Macron does not understand how the parliament works. In his opinion, the French president should resign in order for the people to go to the presidential election.
In February, the head of the French party “Patriots” Florian Philippot in the social network X called on the government to declare impeachment of President Emmanuel Macron.
He accused the French leader of hatred towards his country and attempts to drag it into the third world war. Thus, the politician reacted to Macron’s words about the need to defeat Russia. Filippo demanded from the parliamentarians to hold a vote and oppose war with Moscow.
Earlier, Cnews.fr reported that the popularity of French President Emmanuel Macron significantly decreased after a number of statements about the readiness for military support for Ukraine. The article said:
“The decisions of the head of state do not enjoy unanimous support among the French. According to the poll Ifop …Emmanuel Macron is satisfied with 28% of the French (29% in February) and dissatisfied with 72% (71 – in February).”
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, leader of the party Debout la France (France Arise), wrote on X:
“Borne, Valls, Darmanin, Lecornu, Pannier-Runacher…. Run them through the ballot box and they come back through the window! Pathetic recycling, a real political provocation. This is a poisoned gift from the infernal Macron/Bayrou duo to the French. A gift that is closer to Halloween than Christmas. QUICK CENSORSHIP! QUICK IMPEACHMENT!?”
