Can Frédéric Valletoux remain at the Ministry of Health under the Barnier government? The hypothesis is on the table, but competed by the name of Geneviève Darrieussecq and three other doctors.
Promised for this week by the Prime Minister himself, will the Barnier government really be announced in the coming days? The deadline could be met since Michel Barnier announced “to propose to the President of the Republic a government ready to act in the service of the French” at 7 p.m. this Thursday, September 19. So who could be appointed to the Ministry of Health?
Rumors about the appointment of Catherine VautrinMinister of Labor, Health and Solidarity who resigned, to Health were heard in the corridors and reported by the PointBut the hypothesis has been in jeopardy since a list presenting too many LR in key positions was rejected by Emmanuel Macron according to RTLThe right-wing party saw itself inheriting the Interior and Economy among others. The Health portfolio could therefore go to a party other than the right-wing. Catherine Vautrin, who comes from this political family, would then be disqualified.
Under these conditions, Frederic Valletoux is one of the natural favourites as the resigning Minister of Health and a member of the Horizons party, and therefore of the presidential coalition. In addition to his position as Minister Delegate, he won his place as a Member of Parliament during the last legislative elections. At the beginning of September, he made it clear on CNews that he would like to stay: “If I have the possibility of continuing projects that I have started, why not?” But according to an unofficial list circulating this Tuesday is a personality who would have the advantage to be appointed to Health: the MoDem deputy Genevieve Darrieussecq. She is also part of the presidential coalition and was a minister under Emmanuel Macron, notably as the person in charge of disabled people. An allergist by profession and active with associations and unions in the health sector during her career, the elected official seems to be a serious option.
Juvin, Voynet and Neuder also cited for the Ministry of Health
Priority issues will quickly await the new Minister of Health, such as France’s health budget for next year, the launch of vaccination campaigns, the fight against drug shortages and medical deserts, or the response to the demands of independent nurses who are asking for an increase in their rates and who have already planned a demonstration on October 1, 2024. Needless to say, time is running out.
For the vacant position on Duquesne Avenue, two right-wing names also stand out. Yannick Neudera cardiologist by profession, was notably cited by Arnaud Chiche, founder of the Santé en danger collective withEurope 1judging him to be “excellent on health issues”. The MP for Isère was re-elected in July and is the general rapporteur of the social security financing bill. Philippe Juvin is also being considered for the position. An anesthesiologist-resuscitator and leader of the Republicans in Hauts-de-Seine, he became known in particular during the Covid pandemic and for his skepticism regarding the bill for assisted dying. If Michel Barnier opts for a more mixed government by appointing a few elected officials from the left, Dominique Voynetan anesthesiologist, could be in the pipeline. The former Minister of the Environment under Lionel Jospin has made her return to the National Assembly under the banner of the NFP.