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French president names new foreign minister in reshuffle French president names new foreign minister in reshuffle
(about 1 hour later)
PARIS — French President Francois Hollande has named former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault as foreign minister in a government reshuffle. PARIS — French President Francois Hollande has named as foreign minister former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, a low-key veteran of the Socialist Party much acquainted with German culture.
Ayrault, 66, a low-key veteran of the Socialist Party, replaces Laurent Fabius, who helped clinch a landmark climate accord in Paris last year and played a prominent role in negotiations on a nuclear accord with Iran. Ayrault, 66, replaces Laurent Fabius in a government reshuffle announced by the French president’s office Thursday.
Fabius is going to become chief of the Constitutional Council, France’s top court which makes sure that legislation complies with the constitution. Fabius, who helped clinch a landmark climate accord in Paris last year and played a prominent role in negotiations on a nuclear accord with Iran, is going to become chief of the Constitutional Council, France’s top court which makes sure that legislation complies with the constitution.
A few greens are joining the government as well in an apparent effort to quell tensions within Hollande’s camp ahead of next year’s presidential elections.A few greens are joining the government as well in an apparent effort to quell tensions within Hollande’s camp ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
Other leading ministerial positions are unchanged, including Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Finance Minister Michel Sapin and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron.Other leading ministerial positions are unchanged, including Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Finance Minister Michel Sapin and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron.
Jean-Marc Ayrault was Hollande’s first prime minister, from 2012 to 2014, and is generally considered as a hard worker, discreet and even shy. In a unique scenario in France’s modern history, a former Prime Minister is coming back at another position —prestigious yet lower— during the same presidential term, less than two years after he left.
Jean-Marc Ayrault was Hollande’s first prime minister from 2012 to 2014. He is generally considered a hard worker, discreet and even shy.
He is a former teacher of German, a skill that is considered a key advantage in conducting French-German diplomatic relations. The two countries have a leading role in the European Union.He is a former teacher of German, a skill that is considered a key advantage in conducting French-German diplomatic relations. The two countries have a leading role in the European Union.
When he left the government in 2014 to be replaced by Manuel Valls, his unpopularity was approaching a record high in opinion polls. He notably failed to boost France’s stagnant economy or to lower the unemployment rate. He is also considered by many in French public opinion as responsible for a rise in taxes.When he left the government in 2014 to be replaced by Manuel Valls, his unpopularity was approaching a record high in opinion polls. He notably failed to boost France’s stagnant economy or to lower the unemployment rate. He is also considered by many in French public opinion as responsible for a rise in taxes.
Since 2014, he has been a lawmaker at France’s lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, a position he previously held from 1986 to 2012.
Environment minister Segolene Royal sees her position extended to international relations on climate issues.Environment minister Segolene Royal sees her position extended to international relations on climate issues.
Member of the green party EELV Emmanuelle Cosse gets the housing ministry. Members of another green party named “Ecologists!” are also joining the government as junior ministers. Head of the green party EELV Emmanuelle Cosse gets the housing ministry. Members of another green party named “Ecologists!” are also joining the government as junior ministers.
Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin is replaced by Audrey Azoulay, previously adviser to Hollande on culture and communication issues.
The president’s office also stressed that the nomination of a junior minister in charge of “helping victims,” Juliette Meadel, is a consequence of last year’s attacks in Paris.
The French government now counts 18 ministers and 20 junior ministers —in addition to Prime Minister Manuel Valls— and as many women as men.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.