STATE OF PLAY
Today, the French government announced a reshuffle of a number of positions in the Cabinet. Most notably, Christophe Castaner, formerly Spokesperson for the Government and Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament, was named Minister of the Interior. He will replace Gérard Collomb, who resigned two weeks ago. This follows the September resignation of Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot, who stated that the government had not taken significant enough action on the environment.
This movement within the French government takes place in the context of President Macron’s falling popularity and media criticism of possible tensions between the President and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. According to an Ifop poll released in October, 69% of French people were dissatisfied with the President’s actions compared to a 45% disapproval rating among the French at the beginning of 2018.
Today’s reshuffle has been seen as an attempt to create new energy around the Macron Presidency, while keeping a balance between politicians from the left and right within the current government.
THE KEY CHANGES
- Christophe Castaner, Minister of the Interior, formerly Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament replaces Gérard Collomb;
- Julien Denormandie, Minister of the City and Housing to the Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities. He was previously Secretary of State;
- Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education, adds the youth portfolio;
- Mounir Mahjoubi, Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of Action and Public Accounts. He was previously attached to the Prime Minister and in charge of Digital;
- Marlène Schiappa, Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, in charge of gender equality, now adds the portfolio for the fight against discrimination.
- Laurent Nuñez, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Interior;
- Marc Fesneau, Minister to the Prime Minister, in charge of Relations with Parliament;
- Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance replaces Delphine Geny-Stephann;
- Emmanuelle Wargon, Secretary of State to the Minister of State, Minister of Ecological and Solidarity Transition replaces Sébastien Lecornu;
- Jacqueline Gourault, Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Territorial Relations, previously attached to the Minister of the Interior replaces Jacques Mézard;
- Sébastien Lecornu takes on the role of Minister for Territorial Communities to the Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities;
- Franck Riester, Minister of Culture replaces Françoise Nyssen;
- Didier Guillaume, Minister of Agriculture and Food replaces Stéphane Travert;
- Christelle Dubos, Secretary of State to the Minister of Solidarity and Health;
- Gabriel Attal, Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education and Youth;
