French PM Bayrou unveils new cabinet, adds two ex-prime ministers

Paris: French Prime Minister François Bayrou has unveiled a new government, introducing a smaller cabinet that includes two former prime ministers, Manuel Valls and Elisabeth Borne. Bayrou announced the new cabinet through a press release from the Elysee.

The reshaped government consists of 14 full ministries. Valls will head the Ministry of Overseas Territories, while Borne takes charge of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research.

Three ministers from the previous administration under Michel Barnier have retained their positions: Bruno Retailleau as interior minister, Sébastien Lecornu as minister of armed forces, and Jean-Noël Barrot as minister of Europe and foreign affairs.

In addition, four female ministers from Barnier's government have been appointed to Bayrou’s cabinet. Rachida Dati will oversee the Ministry of Culture, Catherine Vautrin will serve as minister of work, health, solidarities, and families, Agnès Pannier-Runacher remains in charge of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forest, Sea, and Fisheries, and Annie Genevard has been appointed minister of agriculture and food sovereignty.

To address the 2025 budget, Bayrou has appointed Eric Lombard as the new minister of economy, finance, and industrial and digital sovereignty.

Following the announcement, Bayrou expressed his pride in the new cabinet, calling it "a collective of experience to reconcile and renew trust with all French people," in a post on his X account.

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Bayrou as prime minister on December 13, following Barnier's removal in a vote of no confidence on December 4.

The first Council of Ministers under the new government is scheduled for January 3, 2025.

With IANS inputs