Six ministers belong to the conservative camp, including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, previously leader of the Republican faction in the Senate.
The current European Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will become Foreign Minister. The 41-year-old is a supporter of joint debt in the EU. His European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad will be responsible for German-French relations in the future. The new Economic Affairs Minister will be 33-year-old Antoine Armand, a confidant of Macron.
The left-wing camp, which won a relative majority in the election, is represented in the government by only one minister: former Socialist MP Didier Migaud, who most recently headed the transparency authority, was appointed Minister of Justice. Several left-wing politicians had turned down offers from conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier because they reject his political line.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Culture Minister Rachida Dati remain in office. The former Labor Minister Catherine Vautrin, who also belongs to the conservative camp, will become Minister for Regional Affairs. Gender equality is maintained with 20 men and 20 women each, including the Prime Minister. However, the most influential departments are occupied by men.
No potential presidential candidate involved in government
It is striking that none of the potential presidential candidates for the next election in 2027 are part of the government and several political heavyweights are no longer on board. Barnier is said to have expressly ensured this. Both the previous Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and the previous Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire have left the government. The conservative parliamentary group leader Laurent Wauquiez said he rejected the Ministry of Economy.
The opposition reacted indignantly. The new government is “far from the desire for change” that voters had expressed, said right-wing populist faction leader Marine Le Pen. “This line-up is neither legitimate nor promising. We will abolish it as soon as possible,” said left-wing populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Socialist party leader Olivier Faure said: “A reactionary government that is giving democracy the finger.”
“This formation is neither legitimate nor promising. We will abolish it as soon as possible,” said left-wing populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Socialist party leader Olivier Faure said: “A reactionary government that is giving democracy the finger.”
The new cabinet is scheduled to meet for its first session on Monday afternoon. Barnier is expected to deliver his government statement in the National Assembly on October 1. The government should also present the draft budget for 2025 by that date so that it can be debated and adopted by the end of the year.
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