PARIS — Emmanuel Macron has picked Renew Europe Group President Stéphane Séjourné because the nation’s new overseas minister, the French presidency introduced Thursday, as a part of a broadly anticipated authorities reshuffle.
Séjourné’s appointment is prone to have massive repercussions for European centrists forward of the EU election in June. The 38-year-old is a key operator within the Macron galaxy, operating each the Renew group within the European Parliament and Macron’s Renaissance get together in France; he had been broadly anticipated to move his Renew listing within the election.
Dutch MEP Malik Azmani, first vp of the Renew Europe Group, will head the group following Séjourné’s departure, a press consultant for Séjourné stated.
In appointing Séjourné to the top of France’s prestigious diplomatic corps, Macron was rewarding a loyalist and a celebration strategist who has spent years removed from the limelight, painstakingly constructing alliances within the corridors of Brussels and Strasbourg.
“It can create a vacuum in Renew,” stated a political operative from one other group who requested to not be named with a view to converse candidly. “Séjourné would have been extraordinarily necessary after the [European Parliament] election. Now he’s jumped ship.”
Underneath Séjourné, the overseas ministry is anticipated to be extra concerned in European affairs than underneath his predecessor Catherine Colonna. “He insisted on having ‘Europe and overseas affairs minister’ as his job title, as a result of [forging] Europe as a powerhouse will probably be one in all his priorities,” stated a Séjourné aide.
It was understood that Colonna had been on her manner out, seen as unable to make a mark on overseas affairs, thought to be the remit of the president.
Séjourné was appointed in a wide-ranging reshuffle meant to jump-start Macron’s flagging presidency. On Tuesday Macron named Gabriel Attal as France’s youngest-ever prime minister; Séjourné is Attal’s ex-partner. Their breakup, an open secret in French political circles, was made official on Thursday.
Macron is searching for a recent begin after a tumultuous 2023, a yr marked by mass protests, city riots, and rifts inside his personal camp. Key left-leaning Cupboard members voiced their displeasure after the federal government compromised with hardline conservatives on an immigration invoice which the far-right described as an “ideological victory.”
Heavyweights keep on
Whereas Attal will proceed working with a few of his former colleagues, Macron additionally notched some eye-catching scalps together with Rachida Dati, a justice minister underneath Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency and a former MEP for the conservative Les Républicains get together, who has been appointed tradition minister.
Financial system and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, a key cupboard member whose presidential ambitions are well-known in Paris, stays on as economic system minister. Le Maire, Attal’s former boss again when the present prime minister was accountable for the French price range, has been on the helm of the French economic system for six-and-a-half years.
Inside Minister Gérald Darmanin, who had been eyeing the federal government’s high job and is talked about as a possible contender for the subsequent presidential election. Protection Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau and Setting Minister Christophe Béchu additionally keep on.
Conservative catch
The inclusion of Dati within the new authorities is a key transfer for the French political panorama, as she is a well-recognized determine on the suitable recognized for her blunt model of communication and energetic opposition to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Dati has been underneath formal investigation since 2021 on corruption allegations, suspected of getting obtained €900,000 over three years from Renault for lobbying the European Parliament whereas she was an MEP, Le Monde and AFP reported. Dati has denied any wrongdoing.
The primary Attal authorities additionally options expanded cupboard roles. Sports activities Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra stays on and can deal with preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games, but additionally picks up Attal’s former transient as schooling minister. Catherine Vautrin, a former Chirac official, replaces Aurélien Rousseau as well being minister however may even head labor affairs.
Additional appointments for lower-ranking cupboard positions are set to be introduced on Friday.
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Nicholas Vinocur and Eddy Wax contributed reporting.
