PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron could choose a new prime minister by Monday, Western media reported on Sunday.
The reports citing his entourage, said the position of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has become weak after an immigration bill pushed by Macron was voted down in the parliament last month. The bill was passed finally with many controversial changes by the opposition.
Macron, who is also facing a challenge from the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen, met with Borne on Sunday night.
According to his office the discussion focused on flooding in northern France and a looming freeze across the country, but observers believed they discussed a possible reshuffle in the cabinet.
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Francois Bayrou, a centrist leader told BFM television that a change is inevitable in the government.
Under the French system, the president makes general policies, but the prime minister is responsible for government management.
Macron has been discussing reshuffle in his administration with Bayrou, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, and former prime minister Edouard Philippe.
France could have new PM
A close Macron aid has said the president is finalizing his choices and the country will see a new prime minister on Monday.
But another associate of the president said everything is possible and that Macron might continue with Borne.
If she is removed from the office, the two leading candidates are Sebastien Lecornu, the 37-year-old defense minister, and Julien Denormandie, the 43-year-old former agriculture minister who has been close to Macron for a long time.
Macron’s political party lacks a majority in the parliament and is already facing disagreements over the immigration law.
