PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron is contemplating the appointment of a new prime minister, possibly by Monday (today), as he grapples with recent political setbacks.
The current Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has been under pressure since an immigration bill, championed by Macron, faced defeat in parliament last month and was subsequently passed with controversial changes imposed by the center-right opposition.
President Macron, who is also confronting a rising challenge from the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen, held a meeting with Prime Minister Borne on Sunday night. While the official agenda revolved around flooding in northern France and an impending freeze across the country, speculation abounds that they discussed a potential cabinet reshuffle.
Centrist leader Francois Bayrou, whose early endorsement played a pivotal role in Macron’s 2017 election, asserted that “a change is necessary” in the government makeup. In the French political system, the president sets general policies, but the prime minister is responsible for day-to-day government management, often bearing the brunt of turbulence within the administration.
Macron has consulted with key figures such as Bayrou, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, and former prime minister Edouard Philippe in the past week regarding reinvigorating his administration. While no final decisions were announced before the meeting with Borne, a close Macron adviser hinted that the president is “finalizing his choices,” and changes are expected at the beginning of the week, potentially with a new prime minister on Monday.
If Prime Minister Borne is replaced, the leading candidates are Sebastien Lecornu, the 37-year-old defence minister, and Julien Denormandie, the 43-year-old former agriculture minister. The choice between the two risks exacerbating tensions within Macron’s movement, given their differing political affiliations and backgrounds.
The political climate in France is already strained, with Macron’s party lacking a parliamentary majority and internal disagreements over recent immigration law changes. Some 200 French intellectuals, actors, and union leaders have called for a protest against the law on January 21, citing concerns about its impact on the Republic.
While Denormandie has a long-standing association with Macron, Lecornu joined the president in 2017, leaving the center-right The Republicans party. Both candidates bring unique strengths and potential challenges to the position. Elisabeth Borne, in her 20 months as prime minister, has navigated through challenges and pushed through significant legislation, making her a formidable figure in French politics. The decision regarding the prime ministerial appointment is eagerly awaited, and it could have far-reaching implications for Macron’s administration.
