France: New Government Unveiled
After a political crisis that has lasted more than two months, Prime Minister Michel Barnier presents the new French government
Despite the decisive victory of the left in July’s parliamentary elections, the new French government is “leaning to the right.” The new formation, unveiled Saturday night (September 21) by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, will consist of 39 ministers arranged according to a hierarchy typical of the French executive.
The most significant roles are those of ministers, followed by ministerial delegates and secretaries of state. Among the 17 ministers, seven represent Together, the centrist coalition led by President Emmanuel Macron, and three represent the Republicans. And this despite the fact that the “undisputed winner” of the legislative elections two months ago was a leftist alliance called the New Popular Front, which won 188 seats. The Together coalition won 161 seats, while France’s far-right Rassemblement Nationale came in third with 142 seats. In the last, fourth, position was the French right-wing conservative party, the Republicans, with 48 seats.
Centrist Jean-Noël Barrot, who served as minister-delegate for European affairs in the previous government, was appointed head of French diplomacy. Sébastien Lecornu, one of Macron’s closest associates, has been reappointed to head the Defense Ministry, which in France is called the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.
After the presentation of the new government on Monday, September 23, President Macron will convene the government for a Council of Ministers.
Heads of the 17 main ministries of France
Didier Migaud, Minister of Justice
Catherine Vautrin, Minister for Territorial Partnership and Decentralization
Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior
Anne Genetet, Minister of Education
Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture and Heritage
Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Environmental Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention
Antoine Armand, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry
Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister of Health and Access to Care
Paul Christophe, Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and Gender Equality
Valérie Létard, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal
Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry
Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, Minister of Labor and Employment
Gil Averous, Minister of Sport, Youth and Volunteering
Patrick Hetzel, Minister of Higher Education and Research
Guillaume Kasbarian, Minister of Civil Service, Simplification and Transformation of State Actions
