French President Emmanuel Macron is set to undertake a government reshuffle, with insiders indicating that the outlines may begin to emerge starting Monday with the selection of a new Prime Minister, amidst widespread criticism of his government. A key advisor stated, "Things will move at the beginning of the week, likely with a new Prime Minister on Monday."
In recent months, Macron's government has dealt with unpopular reforms, such as changes to pension systems and a controversial immigration law that has caused significant division within his camp. Additionally, Macron faces the rising support for the far-right National Rally party, which leads opinion polls for the 2024 European elections. The party's leader, Marine Le Pen, came in second in the presidential elections of 2017 and 2022 behind Macron.
Macron met with his Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Sunday evening to discuss "important issues," according to the Élysée. His office stated that the discussion focused on the floods in northern France and the anticipated cold wave, but observers speculated that they may have also talked about a widely expected cabinet reshuffle.
A close associate of Macron mentioned that "everything is possible, including 'nothing.'" Last week, the French president held extensive consultations with Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, and politician François Bayrou. Bayrou, the centrist politician whose support was crucial for Macron in the 2017 elections, told BFM television that "change is necessary" in the government's composition.
Under the French system, the President sets general policies, but the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day management of the government, which often means the Prime Minister bears the brunt when the administration faces disruptions.
