French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. AFP
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. AFP
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. AFP
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. AFP

French political heavyweights to keep top jobs in cabinet reshuffle


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

France's new Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, has kept some of the government's top ministers, including those at the interior, finance, defence and justice ministries, French media reported on Thursday.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who oversees security arrangements for this summer's Paris Olympic Games, was the first to announce on Wednesday that he would stay in place.

That came a day after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Mr Attal, 34, France's youngest Prime Minister, in a surprise move because of his relative lack of experience.

A rising star in French politics, Mr Attal is regarded as Mr Macron's political successor.

He replaced Elisabeth Borne, 62, who was weakened after a year of turbulent politics and tough pension and immigration reforms.

Mr Attal is one of France's most popular politicians and cemented his reputation with a ban on Muslim dress in public schools last year during his six-month tenure as Education Minister.

Originally a supporter of the Socialist Party, he shifted to Mr Macron's new centrist movement when it was founded in 2016 and became his party's spokesman in 2018.

Gabriel Attal, right, delivers his speech as France's new Prime Minister as his predecessor Elisabeth Borne looks on. Pool/AP
Gabriel Attal, right, delivers his speech as France's new Prime Minister as his predecessor Elisabeth Borne looks on. Pool/AP

But Mr Macron's attempt at giving a fresh face to his latest government seemed to have reached its limits as it became clear that Mr Darmanin and France's longest-serving Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, would keep their jobs.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu are also expected to stay.

They all have right-wing political backgrounds except for Mr Dupond-Moretti, a lawyer.

French commentators interpreted the continuity as a signal of relative weakness ahead of an expected tough European election in June, BFM TV reported.

Centrist groups close to Mr Macron are struggling in the polls, way behind the far-right, and the president is viewed as needing strong political figures beside him.

Stephane Sejourne, 38, has been named France's Foreign Affairs Minister, succeeding Catherine Colonna.

Mr Sejourne is the head of Mr Macron’s Renaissance party and of the Renew Europe group of liberal, pro-European politicians at the European Parliament.

Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castara keeps her job less than six months before the Paris Olympics, and also gets the education portfolio – a role previously held by Mr Attal.

The Culture Ministry goes to Rachida Dati, a member of conservative party The Republicans. Ms Dati was a justice minister under conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Another rising star in Mr Macron's entourage who has reportedly been appointed to the new cabinet is Secretary of State for Youth Prisca Thevenot, 38, who becomes government spokeswoman, said Radio France and BFM TV.

French governments usually include as many men as women, although men were over-represented in powerful ministries in the latest cabinet.

Mr Attal's office told the media that Emmanuel Moulin, a close ally of Mr Macron's powerful chief of staff Alexis Kohler, would become the prime minister's chief of staff, in a sign that the President may keep a close eye on his premier, as he did with his predecessors.

The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race within Mr Macron's camp to succeed him in the next presidential election in 2027.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Mr Darmanin and Mr Le Maire all seen as possible candidates, alongside the fast-rising Mr Attal.

Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final

Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

Updated: January 11, 2024, 8:18 PM