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Sarkozy will shuffle ministerial positions
Source: Agencies |
November 15, 2010, Monday
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FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy reappointed trusted ally Francois Fillon as prime minister yesterday as he begins a ministerial reshuffle aimed at shoring up his position 18 months before a presidential election.
Fillon, who has proved a steady and capable aide to Sarkozy since he took power in 2007, said he would focus on jobs and the economy. A new Cabinet was scheduled to be unveiled late yesterday or today, an official at Fillon's office said.
Sarkozy said in June he would rejig his Cabinet after passing a flagship pension reform, which was signed into law last week. The reshuffle comes as he seeks to shore up his core support base, address voter gloom over the economy and improve his dismal ratings before the 2012 election.
Fillon, deep in talks with Sarkozy yesterday at the Elysee presidential palace, said in a statement he was starting "a new phase with determination which will allow our country to strengthen the growth of the economy to help jobs, promote solidarity and safeguard the security of all French people."
After a brief flurry of speculation among commentators that Fillon might be replaced, it became clear in recent days that Sarkozy would reappoint the man behind the campaign that swept him to power over three years ago.
The new Cabinet is expected to put proven heavyweights of the ruling center-right UMP party in charge of the key ministries.
Government sources say former prime minister Alain Juppe, who remains popular among core conservative voters despite a fall from grace since his political career peaked in the 1990s, could be brought back as defense minister.
Currently mayor of Bordeaux, Juppe told France Info radio on Saturday that he could happily juggle his mayorship with a new Cabinet post.
After Sarkozy stood firm through a series of strikes and protests to pass legislation to raise the retirement age by two years, speculation briefly flared that he might replace Fillon with Energy Minister Jean-Louis Borloo, whose man-of-the-people image might have improved relations with unions.
Sources close to Borloo said yesterday he would be offered a big post in the new government, possibly as foreign minister.
Christine Lagarde is expected to remain as economy minister or move to the foreign ministry while keeping a special brief to handle G20 affairs.
Fillon, who has proved a steady and capable aide to Sarkozy since he took power in 2007, said he would focus on jobs and the economy. A new Cabinet was scheduled to be unveiled late yesterday or today, an official at Fillon's office said.
Sarkozy said in June he would rejig his Cabinet after passing a flagship pension reform, which was signed into law last week. The reshuffle comes as he seeks to shore up his core support base, address voter gloom over the economy and improve his dismal ratings before the 2012 election.
Fillon, deep in talks with Sarkozy yesterday at the Elysee presidential palace, said in a statement he was starting "a new phase with determination which will allow our country to strengthen the growth of the economy to help jobs, promote solidarity and safeguard the security of all French people."
After a brief flurry of speculation among commentators that Fillon might be replaced, it became clear in recent days that Sarkozy would reappoint the man behind the campaign that swept him to power over three years ago.
The new Cabinet is expected to put proven heavyweights of the ruling center-right UMP party in charge of the key ministries.
Government sources say former prime minister Alain Juppe, who remains popular among core conservative voters despite a fall from grace since his political career peaked in the 1990s, could be brought back as defense minister.
Currently mayor of Bordeaux, Juppe told France Info radio on Saturday that he could happily juggle his mayorship with a new Cabinet post.
After Sarkozy stood firm through a series of strikes and protests to pass legislation to raise the retirement age by two years, speculation briefly flared that he might replace Fillon with Energy Minister Jean-Louis Borloo, whose man-of-the-people image might have improved relations with unions.
Sources close to Borloo said yesterday he would be offered a big post in the new government, possibly as foreign minister.
Christine Lagarde is expected to remain as economy minister or move to the foreign ministry while keeping a special brief to handle G20 affairs.
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