Macron Announces New French Government After Cabinet Collapse

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron introduced a new government on Monday following the collapse of the previous cabinet. The restructured government, led by newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, marks the country’s fourth administration in recent years. Despite its formation amidst political tensions, the new cabinet retains a broadly center-right orientation similar to its predecessor, which lasted less than three months before facing intense opposition from both left- and right-wing factions in parliament.

The new cabinet consists of 35 ministers, reflecting a diverse portfolio of responsibilities across various sectors. Among the key appointments, Élisabeth Borne has been named Minister of State and Minister for National Corrections, Higher Education, and Research. Gérald Darmanin takes on the dual role of Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice, while Éric Lombard has been appointed Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.

Sebastien Lecornu assumes the role of Minister of the Armed Forces, and Rachida Dati has been named Minister of Culture. François Rebsamen will oversee Regional Planning and Decentralization, while Jean-Noël Barrot takes charge as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Other notable appointments include Agnès Panier-Runacher as Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Marine, and Fisheries, and Anne Genevard as Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

The cabinet also features ministers dedicated to specific issues, such as Mary Barsak, who will lead Sports, Youth, and Community Life, and Aurore Bergé, tasked with promoting gender equality and fighting discrimination. New roles have been created to address emerging priorities, with Clara Chappaz taking charge as Ministerial Representative for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies and Nathalie Delattre overseeing Tourism.

The expanded ministerial team also includes Patrick Mignola for Parliamentary Relations, Benjamin Haddad for Europe, and Thani Mohamed Soilihi as Ministerial Representative for Francophonie and International Partnerships. Other key figures include Marc Ferraci for Industry and Energy, Philippe Tabarot for Transport, and François Gaitl for Rural Affairs.

President Macron has scheduled a Council of Ministers meeting for January 3 to convene all members of the newly formed government. This first meeting is expected to outline the administration’s strategic priorities and address pressing challenges in a politically charged environment.

This restructured cabinet reflects Macron’s attempt to stabilize his government and navigate through the turbulent political climate, signaling a continued commitment to his agenda while balancing diverse political and regional interests. The appointments emphasize France’s focus on economic sovereignty, ecological transition, and innovation, aiming to strengthen the nation’s global and domestic standing.