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The big names of the old Government; Rachida Dati, Nicolas Sarkozy’s former justice minister; and even the prime minister’s own (ex?) husband. Gabriel Attal has chosen his team: the new French prime minister appointed on Thursday 11 January the ministers of his government which will meet for the first time on the morning of the 12th. Interviewed by TF1, Attal promised “a certain number of announcements” in the immediate future, renewing the commitment to lower taxes for the middle classes.
The confirmation of the “important” ministers
It was above all a choice of continuity. In fact, there is no significant news among the large departments. Gérald Darmanin remains at the Interior, and Bruno Le Maire at the Economy: the two potential candidates to lead the government have not been replaced. Sébastian Lecornu also remains with the Armed Forces, and Eric Dupont-Moretti, despite the thousand controversies to which he was subject – which did not end with the very recent acquittal – with Justice.
Data expelled by the Republicans
The political novelty is the appointment of Rachida Dati, former Minister of Justice under Nicolas Sarkozy, as Culture, in place of Minister Rima Abdul-Malak. The representative of the Républicains, the opposition party, was immediately expelled by the secretary Eric Ciotti, disappointing the hopes of neo-Gaullist politics, mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris – which houses the Musée d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower – and opponent of the former citizen Anne Hidalgo, to be able to renounce only her executive positions. A right-wing woman, but the daughter of a Moroccan and an Algerian, raised in a poor environment, a single mother, Dati has long been an iconic figure in French political life. Dati is accused, after being a witness, of “passive corruption” and “influence trafficking” for the rich consultancy provided to Carlos Ghosn, former president-general manager of Renault Nissan, now a fugitive. Attal, however, invoked the presumption of innocence in her defense.
At Foreign Affairs, the former partner of the prime minister
The appointment of Stéphane Sejourné to Foreign Affairs and European Affairs – which remain, in the first instance, the responsibility of President Emmanuel Macron – in place of Catherine Colonna: the secretary of Renaissance, Emmanuel Macron’s party, also did not fail to surprise. he is a European MP, president of the Renew group but above all he is the husband, in a civil union, of Gabriel Attal himself. It cannot be ruled out that the relationship between the two has actually ended: Attal has never confirmed the breakup.
The mergers: Work and Healthcare, Sports and Education
New entry also to Labor and Health, both entrusted to Catherine Vautrin, who takes the place of Olivier Dussopt and Brigitte Bourguignon respectively: in 2022 she was considered by Macron for the position of prime minister, but then Elisabeth Borne was chosen . The Ecological Transition has once again been entrusted to Christophe Béchu, known for his positions on the traditional family which have cost him accusations of homophobia; while Amélie Oudéa-Castéra will continue to lead the Ministry of Sport – and therefore manage the Olympics – alongside that of National Education from which Attal comes. Sylvie Retailleau remains at University and Scientific Research., Marc Fesneau at Agriculture.
Three ministers delegated (without portfolio): Prisca Thévenot, who will also be spokesperson for the Government, for Democratic Renewal; Marie Lebec for Relations with Parliament, and Aurore Bergé, for Equality between men and women.