Emmanuel Macron French President has named a new government on Monday. He put together a team under Francois Bayrou, who is his fourth prime minister of the year.
The former prime minister Elisabeth Borne has been coined as the education minister in a new cabinet under centrist Bayrou, the presidency said.
Manuel Valls returned as overseas territories minister and interior minister Gerald Darmanin became justice minister this time.
On the other hand, the two ministers - Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs, according to the presidency. Eric Lombard became the new economy minister.
The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron’s desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou’s predecessor Michel Barnier.
The unexpected comeback of Valls, premier from 2014 to 2016, as the head of the overseas territories ministry indicates the importance of the post after authorities were strongly criticized for their response to the deadly cyclone on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which killed at least 35 people.
The announcement came as France observed a day of mourning for the victims in the cyclone-hit Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory.
Bayrou, the head of the centrist MoDem group, was appointed on December 13. Many already predict Bayrou will struggle to survive.