09:42 – Several portfolios left without a minister
With the desire to form a tighter government and carry out a two-stage reshuffle, several ministries have been left vacant since January 11. And among these portfolios, some are supposed to be priority subjects of the government, notably Health. Catherine Vautrin was appointed head of the super-ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity, but should count on a Minister Delegate for Health. This empty chair irritates the medical world which has seen no less than seven ministers parade since Emmanuel’s first five-year term. Macron. Housing and the City have also been dedicated ministers for three weeks
09:19 – The end of the reshuffle intentionally postponed after the Bayrou trial verdict?
Some political commentators see in holding the end of the reshuffle the day after the judgment in the trial of François Bayrou a sign that the appointment of the president of the MoDem and close advisor to Emmanuel Macron was envisaged in the event of the politician’s acquittal. An explanation which can be understood and which would go in the direction of the arrival of the centrist to the government and a priori to National Education, François Bayrou not having expressed an appetite for another portfolio and not being able, by his influence with the head of state, being relegated to a secondary ministry. The fact remains that the long delay between the start and end of the reshuffle can also be explained by difficulties in finding contenders, in maintaining the political balance of the majority or in finding agreements between the Elysée and Matignon.
09:01 – François Bayrou in ambush to recover National Education
But in the event of Amélie Oudéa-Castéra leaving, who could take her place? Only one name is circulating to succeed the Minister of National Education: that of François Bayrou. The rumor has been going strong since last week and while few people gave it credence a few days ago, the scenario is now being more seriously considered. The boss of MoDem himself expressed his ambitions, only a few hours after his acquittal in the parliamentary assistants affair, on the set of 20 Hours of France 2. “I think that there is a very big problem in National Education and it is a sector, for me, you know how much I believe in it, how much I will give to restore morale, balance, the desire to teach without disturbance in our country,” he declared.
08:50 – Amélie Oudéa-Castéra leaving?
The fate of the Minister of National Education has not yet been decided. Certain sources close to the decision-making center within Politico Or Europe 1 suggest that Amélie Oudéa-Castéra is threatened because of her weakened posture after the succession of controversies surrounding the schooling of her children, her declarations on her income and others. The case of the Minister of National Education would create divisions between Matignon and the Elysée. But a close friend of the Head of State still assured yesterday on RTL that the “most likely” scenario is that Amélie Oudéa-Castéra remains in office.
08:41 – It’s (finally) the big day
Reshuffle, continuation and end. More than three weeks after the appointment of fourteen ministers, it is this Tuesday, February 6 that around fifteen delegate ministers and secretaries of state must be appointed, the Elysée confirmed. Gabriel Attal’s government will finally be complete this evening at the latest.