Macron to keep Borne as PM despite unrest
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According to French media, Borne is working on "adjustments", implying that merely a technical reshuffle is in the works, with no changes to major posts.
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French PM Elizabeth Borne delivers a speech during a press conference in Paris on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron has opted to maintain Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne in her position, an official in the President's office said on Monday, defying calls to give his administration a new direction after a turbulent few months.
Months of unrest over his pension reform, as well as days of rioting in French cities earlier this month over the death of a teenager at the hands of police, have fueled rumors of a possible cabinet change by opposition parties, as well as government officials.
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With no apparent replacement for Borne, a former technocrat who detractors say lacks charm but admirers claim has already delivered on many of Macron's campaign promises, the French President opted to put her in charge of the cabinet.
According to Macron's office, "To ensure stability and in-depth work, the President has decided to maintain the Prime Minister," vowing to provide information about his plans in the next months by late this week.
French media reported that Borne is working on "adjustments", implying that merely a technical reshuffle is in the works, with no changes to major posts.
However, Macron stated last week that he needed more time to formulate legislation in response to the riots, which he described as requiring more than "knee-jerk" answers.
As a result, he announced last week that he will not do an interview on July 14, the deadline he set for himself in April to begin his second term and mend tensions following the pension issue.
According to a source close to Macron, replacing the Prime Minister suddenly made little sense because Macron's minority administration had failed to reach an agreement with possible right-wing conservative partners in parliament.
The source added that Macron was considering awarding the conservative Les Republicains the prime ministership as an incentive for forming a formal alliance.
