Arthur de Laborde and Jacques Serais, edited by Gauthier Delomez
modified to
12:20 p.m., April 26, 2022
No time to breathe for Emmanuel Macron. After his re-election as head of the Presidency of the Republic, the leader of the Republic on the move (LREM) is working on the appointment of his future Prime Minister, while Jean Castex and the current government must submit their resignation to respect a “custom Republican” the day after a presidential election. Before the legislative elections of next June, which can change the cards, Emmanuel Macron must choose among many suitors. But the list has shrunk considerably.
Two options “studied among others”, relativizes an LREM framework
During the presidential campaign, Emmanuel Macron had promised in the event of re-election that his Prime Minister will be in charge of “ecological planning” as a priority. In recent hours, two names have been frequently cited to replace Jean Castex: those of the Minister of Agriculture, Julien Denormandie, and the Minister of Labor, Elisabeth Borne. “Two options studied among others”, relativizes a framework of the majority. “Emmanuel Macron decides alone. He is the master of the clocks. A position that suits him perfectly”, laughs a close friend of the head of state.
“We are not immune to a surprise,” confesses a presidential party executive. Noting that no one had seen the appointment of Edouard Philippe in 2017, nor that of Jean Castex in 2020.
There is only one certainty at this stage: the appointment of the new Prime Minister will take place before May 13, the official expiry date of Emmanuel Macron’s first term. In the meantime, the Head of State will chair the national tribute to comedian Michel Bouquet on Wednesday at the Invalides in Paris.
Will parliamentarians legislate before legislative elections?
According to information from Europe 1, the Council of Ministers scheduled for Wednesday was finally postponed to Thursday morning. Regarding the priorities that will be announced in the coming weeks, the Elysée remains silent for the moment, but several parliamentarians say they expect surprises. And why not legislate before the legislative elections on topics such as purchasing power or the environment.
Fifteen ministers
Evidence: Emmanuel Macron has promised a new method. “Changing methods also means changing those around you,” says an adviser. The Head of State is working on a short list of fifteen ministers.
The mayor of Poissy Karl Olive could take the head of the ministry in charge of the City. Amélie Ouéda-Castéra, director general of the French tennis federation, is approached for the Ministry of Sports. Gabriel Attal, for his part, would be in the budget. Finally, Christian Estrosi is also one of the tracks for the next government.