“Names have been moving around in all directions” in recent days, a ministerial source summarized to AFP. Macronist MP Antoine Armand, once tipped to head to Bercy, no longer seemed to appear in the new version presented Friday evening, according to concordant sources. And Renaissance senator Xavier Iacovelli is now given to the Family, according to these sources.
Will LR senator Laurence Garnier, who was once given this position but whose opposition to same-sex marriage provoked an outcry within Macron’s party, inherit another portfolio? Appointing Laurence Garnier is crossing “a red line” for Pierre-Yves Bournazel. The former Horizons MP, on the other hand, seems ready to accept Bruno Retailleau’s entry into the government. “It’s not my political line, but it’s a coalition, and a coalition is a compromise,” he said on BFMTV.
The MoDem, after several meetings on Friday around François Bayrou, has still “not decided” whether or not to participate in the government, the group argued to AFP. “There are still unknowns, we don’t have 100% of the answers to our questions,” it added, while nevertheless acknowledging “a desire to support Barnier.”
The former head of state, for his part, said on Friday that voters of the Republican Front could feel “cheated” by the composition, which is probably clearly to the right, of the Barnier government.
“What is difficult to understand and to admit is that while two thirds (of voters) have rather adopted the Republican front line (…) here, there is a Prime Minister who was appointed because he had the assent of the extreme right,” commented the former socialist president and new deputy.
Emmanuel Macron called on Friday on “all political groups” to “help” Michel Barnier form a government, while the list proposed on Thursday was causing tension in the presidential camp. “Everyone must help him succeed because it is in the collective interest,” he added.
The new government should be composed of 38 ministers. With, among the full ministers, seven Macronists, three Republicans, two MoDem, one Horizons, one UDI and one miscellaneous left.
Could it finally be the big day? More than two months after the second round of the legislative elections and more than fifteen days after the appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister, it could well be that this Saturday the composition of a government will be officially announced. The government will be presented “before Sunday”, Matignon announced. And before Sunday, it is definitely this Saturday. Unless there is yet another twist…
Source: www.20minutes.fr
