INTL French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigns
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Marthanoir
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French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne resigns
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned, the French presidency said on Monday, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to give a new impetus to his second mandate ahead of European parliament elections and the Paris Olympics this summer.Macron did not immediately name her successor.
The French President and his government have struggled to deal with more turbulent lawmakers to pass laws since losing their absolute majority in parliament shortly after Macron was reelected for a second mandate in 2022.
The change in prime minister comes after a year marred by political crises triggered by contested reforms of the pension system and immigration laws.
It also comes just five months before European Parliament elections, with eurosceptics expected to make record gains at a time of widespread public discontent over surging living costs and the failure of European governments to curb migration flows.
Opinion polls show Macron's party is trailing far-right leader Marine Le Pen by around eight to ten points for the June EU election.
Speculation of a government reshuffle had been rife since Macron in December promised a new political initiative.
Among those cited as potential candidates to replace Borne are 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal and 37-year-old Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, either of whom would be France's youngest ever prime minister.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and former agriculture minister Julien Denormandie have also been mentioned by pundits as possible options.
The change in prime minister will not necessarily lead to a shift in political tack, but rather signal a desire to move beyond the pension and immigration reforms and focus on new priorities, including hitting full employment.
A soft-spoken career bureaucrat who served numerous Socialist Party ministers before joining Macron's governments, Borne had been prime minister since May 2022.
Aged 62, she was only the second woman to serve in the post.
Macron and his government, led by Borne, have struggled to deal with a more turbulent parliament to pass laws since losing their absolute majority shortly after Macron was reelected for a second mandate in 2022.
The French president's advisers say he has managed to pass the most challenging parts of his economic manifesto in the first year and a half of his second mandate, despite the lack of an absolute majority, and that future reforms, on education and euthanasia for instance, will be more consensual.
But Macron's decision to use executive powers last year to pass a contested increase in the pension age to 64 triggered weeks of violent protests.
The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race in Macron's camp to succeed him in the next presidential election in 2027, with former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin and Le Maire all seen as potential candidates.
French PM Borne resigns as Macron seeks to revamp a troubled government
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned, the French presidency said on Monday, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to give a new impetus to his second mandate ahead of European parliament elections…
www.france24.com
Plain Jane
Just Plain Jane
French prime minister resigns following recent political turmoil over immigration
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned following recent political turmoil over a new immigration law.
apnews.com
French prime minister resigns following recent political turmoil over immigration
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FILE - French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrives to attend a national tribute to late French Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, in charge of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral reconstruction, in the courtyard of the Invalides in Paris, Aug. 25, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday Jan.8, 2024 accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, the president’s office said. Borne’s resignation follows recent political tensions over a contentious immigration bill backed by Macron that would strengthen the government’s ability to deport some foreigners, among other measures. (Christian Hartmann, Pool via AP, File)
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BY SYLVIE CORBET
Updated 2:43 PM EST, January 8, 2024
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PARIS (AP) — French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned Monday following recent political turmoil over immigration, paving the way for President Emmanuel Macron to seek fresh momentum by appointing a new government in coming days.
The shakeup was widely seen as an attempt by the 46-year-old centrist Macron to head off a looming lame-duck status. Macron’s term is to end in 2027, and he won’t be able to run for president for a consecutive third term in line with the French Constitution.
In her resignation letter, Borne suggested she resigned at Macron’s request, citing the president’s “will” to “appoint a new prime minister.”
Borne’s resignation followed the passage late last month of contentious immigration legislation backed by Macron aimed at strengthening the government’s ability to deport some foreigners, among other measures.
Macron’s centrist alliance was able to pass the measure only after making a deal with the conservative Republicans party, which many observers saw as the government’s shift to the right. The tough negotiations and heated parliament debate raised questions over the ability of Borne’s government to pass future major bills.
Political observers also suggested that Macron, a staunch supporter of European integration, wants his new government to get ready for June’s European Union elections.
Borne, 62, had been appointed in May 2022 after Macron’s reelection for a second term. She was France’s second female prime minister.
The following month, Macron’s centrists lost their majority in parliament, forcing the government into political maneuvering and using special constitutional powers to be able to pass laws.
Last year, Borne faced mass protests often marred by violence against unpopular pension changes. The bill to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 was enacted into law in April, angering many people across the country.
She also faced days of riots which erupted across France at the beginning of the summer, triggered by the deadly police shooting of a teen.
Macron’s office announced his acceptance of Borne’s resignation in a statement, and the president posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Borne’s work “has been exemplary every day.”
“You have implemented our project with statewomen’s courage, commitment and determination. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.
The statement from Macron’s office said Borne will continue in her duties until a new government is appointed.
French media outlets reported Monday evening that Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, was the favorite for the job. If named, he would be the youngest prime minister in France’s modern history.
Other names often mentioned include Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie, a longtime supporter of Macron who helped him launch his political movement.
Under the French political system, the prime minister is appointed by the president and accountable to the parliament. The prime minister is in charge of implementing domestic policy and coordinating the government’s team of ministers.
The president holds substantial powers over foreign policy, European affairs and defense. He is also the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces.
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
Marthanoir
TB Fanatic
Codeno
Veteran Member
Yep.
I think that the elites are going to find that the area outside Dodge isn't anywhere near as roomy as they envisioned.
Ractivist
Pride comes before the fall.....Pride month ended.
Just watched a movie called, "Don't look up". It is about a comet about to hit earth, and the political aspect of the president telling the world, Meryl Streep.....replace Invasion for a comet, and its spot on today. Worth the watch just to see the glaring truths embedded. It's a comedy, but not as raunchy as most are today. There's some of course. Truly has a lot of truth embedded.
emiliozapata
Senior Member
Very typical looking dyke