Imminent reshuffle in France. Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new Prime Minister to mark the start of his second five-year term, three weeks after his re-election. Jean Castex is therefore preparing to return the keys to Matignon. The future ex-head of government has already packed his bags and assures him to leave “without remorse or regrets” after 22 months at the head of the country.
Jean Castex already knows what he is going to do after Matignon: return to his house in the Pyrenees and repaint its shutters. These confidences slipped into the newspaper The Parisian summarize well the image that the Prime Minister will have worked for nearly two years at the top of the State: that of a warm man and close to the daily life of the French.
National politics is over, assures the former mayor of the village of Prades in the Pyrénées-Orientales while Emmanuel Macron would have kept him in his team, at the head of the Ministry of Education or a social portfolio.
A surprise appointment
His arrival at the head of the government surprised everyone, even within Emmanuel Macron’s camp: unknown to the general public, without political weight but accustomed to ministerial cabinets, some of his “Macronie” comrades had also made fun of his southwestern accent and his costumes a little too large. But his warm side and his experience of the workings of the administration make him a team leader appreciated by his ministers and an effective head of government.
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Without a political stable or Elysian ambition, Jean Castex will not overshadow Emmanuel Macron, unlike his predecessor, Edward Philip who leaves the government more popular than the head of state.
Leader of the de facto majority, Jean Castex will have remained distant from internal negotiations for the legislative elections and partisan quarrels. Like his participation in Emmanuel Macron’s almost non-existent presidential campaign.
Prime Minister of Covid and local communities
When Jean Castex replaces Edouard Philippe at Matignon in July 2020, the government then hopes to turn the page on Covid. But the former “Mr. déconfinement” must return to service. Jean Castex continues press conferences on the health crisis with its share of restrictions. He made himself known to the French, even if it meant losing points in the popularity ratings.
Once the pandemic is over, Jean Castex will defend night trains – one of his passions -, his love of rugby, and will travel the country – 351 trips on the clock, a record at Matignon – to re-establish the link with local communities. and show its proximity to the population.
An almost faultless passage
No one now dares to criticize Jean Castex. Emmanuel Macron again paid him a strong tribute last week during the last Council of Ministers. His colleagues in government and “Macronie” praise his “common sense” and its “proximity”.
Even the president’s political opponents will have spared Jean Castex and kept a benevolent distance.
The only downside: Jean Castex is pinned for having abused the Falcon of the Republic for his many round trips by plane between Paris and his stronghold of Prades.