In France, there is a government reshuffle that has been the subject of speculation for some time: Prime Minister Borne submitted her resignation. President Macron is expected to change several cabinet members.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned. The Elysée Palace announced this early in the evening. President Emmanuel Macron accepted her resignation. He thanked Borne “from the bottom of his heart” for her “exemplary” work in serving the country.
There had been speculation in the French media for days about a government reshuffle. The background is that Macron is under pressure after the recent difficulties with immigration law. Macron’s key plan was passed in a tremor after the government made massive concessions to the conservative Républicains. However, the stricter legal text caused severe tensions within the Macron camp.
Borne was the second woman at the Head of government
Borne had always vigorously defended Macron’s plans and incurred the anger of many MPs who accused her of using constitutional tricks to push through unpopular reforms.
Among those in discussion for Borne’s successor are the previous Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Education Minister Gabriel Attal and the former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie. Borne was only the second woman to head the French government after Edith Cresson, who was in office for almost a year in 1991.
It is expected that Macron will also replace numerous cabinet members.
Carolin Dylla, ARD Paris, tagesschau, January 8th, 2024 6:59 p.m