France’s new government leans right

As expected, the change of government marks a shift to the right, compared to the previous centrist government.

Bruno Retailleau, group leader of the right-wing Republican party in the Senate, takes over the Ministry of the Interior.

Jean-Noël Barrot, in alliance with Macron’s center coalition who was previously Minister for European Affairs, changes portfolio and becomes Foreign Minister.

Sébastien Lecornu, also a centrist, remains in his position as defense minister.

In the parliamentary elections at the beginning of July, both the united left and the far right advanced strongly, but without reaching a sufficient majority. Instead, Macron’s movement had to turn to the traditional right to try to form a new government.

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