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François Hollande Brings In Green Party Politicians in Cabinet Shuffle François Hollande Brings In Green Party Politicians in Cabinet Shuffle
(about 1 hour later)
PARIS — President François Hollande of France appointed a former prime minister and several politicians from so-called Green parties to his government on Thursday in a minor cabinet shuffle that is expected to be his last before the presidential election next year.PARIS — President François Hollande of France appointed a former prime minister and several politicians from so-called Green parties to his government on Thursday in a minor cabinet shuffle that is expected to be his last before the presidential election next year.
Former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, a Socialist lawmaker from western France and the mayor of Nantes for more than 20 years, was named foreign minister. He is replacing Laurent Fabius, who stepped down on Wednesday and is expected to lead one of France’s top legal bodies, the Constitutional Council, which ensures that laws comply with the Constitution.Former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, a Socialist lawmaker from western France and the mayor of Nantes for more than 20 years, was named foreign minister. He is replacing Laurent Fabius, who stepped down on Wednesday and is expected to lead one of France’s top legal bodies, the Constitutional Council, which ensures that laws comply with the Constitution.
Many analysts had speculated that the environment minister, Ségolène Royal, would replace Mr. Fabius. Both took part in the international negotiations last December in France that produced a landmark agreement on climate change.Many analysts had speculated that the environment minister, Ségolène Royal, would replace Mr. Fabius. Both took part in the international negotiations last December in France that produced a landmark agreement on climate change.
Ms. Royal, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2007 and is Mr. Hollande’s former partner, will remain the environment minister, although her portfolio has been expanded to include international relations related to climate issues.Ms. Royal, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2007 and is Mr. Hollande’s former partner, will remain the environment minister, although her portfolio has been expanded to include international relations related to climate issues.
Mr. Ayrault became prime minister after Mr. Hollande was elected president in May 2012. He served until March 2014, when losses by the Socialist Party in nationwide municipal elections pushed Mr. Hollande to form a new government and replace Mr. Ayrault with Manuel Valls, the current prime minister.Mr. Ayrault became prime minister after Mr. Hollande was elected president in May 2012. He served until March 2014, when losses by the Socialist Party in nationwide municipal elections pushed Mr. Hollande to form a new government and replace Mr. Ayrault with Manuel Valls, the current prime minister.
Mr. Valls, speaking to reporters after the cabinet shuffle, said that the government embodied “experience” and “solidity,” adding that it would keep working until the end of the president’s mandate to reduce unemployment and improve domestic security.Mr. Valls, speaking to reporters after the cabinet shuffle, said that the government embodied “experience” and “solidity,” adding that it would keep working until the end of the president’s mandate to reduce unemployment and improve domestic security.
Mr. Ayrault, 66, a longtime ally of Mr. Hollande’s, is a former professor who speaks fluent German. His understanding of German culture and his ties to the political establishment in Germany are seen as assets for dealing with one of France’s major European partners on issues such as counterterrorism and the migration crisis.Mr. Ayrault, 66, a longtime ally of Mr. Hollande’s, is a former professor who speaks fluent German. His understanding of German culture and his ties to the political establishment in Germany are seen as assets for dealing with one of France’s major European partners on issues such as counterterrorism and the migration crisis.
Emmanuelle Cosse, the leader of Europe Écologie–Les Verts, or E.E.L.V., France’s main Green party, was named the minister of housing. Two politicians from another Green party were added as junior ministers.Emmanuelle Cosse, the leader of Europe Écologie–Les Verts, or E.E.L.V., France’s main Green party, was named the minister of housing. Two politicians from another Green party were added as junior ministers.
There have not been any politicians from Green parties in the government since April 2014, and the move by Mr. Hollande to embrace them is seen as a push to unite parties on the left for the 2017 presidential election.There have not been any politicians from Green parties in the government since April 2014, and the move by Mr. Hollande to embrace them is seen as a push to unite parties on the left for the 2017 presidential election.
So far, that strategy does not seem to be working. Shortly after Ms. Cosse’s nomination, E.E.L.V. issued a statement denouncing it, calling the government’s policies “incompatible” with its own, and on Wednesday, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a left-winger and a vocal critic of Mr. Hollande, announced that he would run for president.So far, that strategy does not seem to be working. Shortly after Ms. Cosse’s nomination, E.E.L.V. issued a statement denouncing it, calling the government’s policies “incompatible” with its own, and on Wednesday, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a left-winger and a vocal critic of Mr. Hollande, announced that he would run for president.
On Thursday evening, Mr. Hollande announced in an interview on French television that the government would organize a local referendum on an airport project near Nantes that has become a point of contention between the Green parties and the governing Socialists.
Construction is supposed to begin in October, but environmental activists have protested against the project for several years and have occupied part of the land. Mr. Hollande denied that the referendum was the result of political bargaining with the Greens in exchange for their return to government.
Mr. Hollande also announced that he was replacing the culture minister, Fleur Pellerin, with Audrey Azoulay, his adviser on cultural issues. Other leading ministers, including Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, stayed on.Mr. Hollande also announced that he was replacing the culture minister, Fleur Pellerin, with Audrey Azoulay, his adviser on cultural issues. Other leading ministers, including Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, stayed on.