Cabinet reshuffle in France: Macron holds on to the weight

However, there is a change at the Foreign Ministry: Stephane Sigourney, secretary-general of Macron's Ennahda party and a former presidential adviser, will replace Catherine Colonna. With the new government, Macron wants to unify his camp and enter the European elections strongly.

As part of France's government reshuffle, President Emmanuel Macron has retained several heavyweights from the previous government. Bruno Le Maire remains Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs, and Gerald Darmanin Minister of the Interior, the Elysee Palace announced Thursday evening in Paris. Defense Minister Sebastian Lecorno remains and Eric Dupond-Moretti continues to head the judiciary.

However, there is a change at the Foreign Ministry: Stephane Sigourney, secretary-general of Macron's Ennahda party and a former presidential adviser, will replace Catherine Colonna.

There is also a change at the head of the Ministry of Culture. It will be headed by Rachida Dati, who served as Minister of Justice from 2007 to 2009 and belongs to the conservative opposition party, the Republicans. She follows Rima Abdel Malik, who was involved in a case involving actor Gerard Depardieu, who is accused of sexual discrimination and sexual assault. She described Depardieu as a “disgrace to France,” while Macron partially defended the actor.

The government resigned under pressure from Macron

On Tuesday, Macron appointed former Education Minister Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister. Elizabeth Bourne's centrist government had previously resigned under pressure from the president. Sports Minister Amelie O'Dea Castera is now also in charge of the Education Department. For Macron, the government reshuffle is a step forward. Since the 2022 parliamentary elections, his camp no longer has an absolute majority in the National Assembly and is dependent on opposition votes.

With the new government, Macron wants to unify his camp and go into the European elections stronger, as Marine Le Pen's right-wing nationalists threaten to significantly overwhelm his forces. (APA/DPA)