French PM Élisabeth Borne resigns ahead of expected reshuffle
France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne is set to step down from her position after a tenure of less than two years.
This resignation aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s anticipated restructuring of his top team ahead of the upcoming European elections later this year.
President Macron acknowledged Ms Borne’s “courage, commitment, and determination” in a statement, and her successor is yet to be announced.
Ms Borne will continue in her role until a new prime minister assumes office, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.
As the second female prime minister of France, she holds the record for the longest-serving in this position, surpassing Édith Cresson, who served under François Mitterrand from 1991-92.
Speculation about a government overhaul has been circulating recently as Macron seeks to enhance his political standing before the June elections, especially with France hosting the Olympic Games this year.
With three years remaining in his presidency, analysts argue that a reshuffle is essential to reinvigorate his government’s political momentum following protests against controversial policies and legislative setbacks.
In December, Macron’s government faced a significant defeat on crucial immigration legislation, leading to perceptions of a crisis.
Although the law was eventually passed after concessions to right-wing opposition groups, Macron’s party is expected to encounter a formidable challenge in the European elections.
Ms Borne’s departure is seen as the initial step in this overhaul, with several government figures being considered to replace her.
The frontrunner for the position is 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal, who, if selected, would become France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister.
Armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu – who at 37, would also be the youngest person to hold the post – and ex-agriculture minister Julien Denormandie have been tipped as potential alternatives.
An announcement on a new prime minister is not expected until Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace told the BBC.
France’s prime minister is expected to manage the day-to-day business of the government and heads the Council of Ministers.
Mr Macron’s party lost its parliamentary majority in 2022, meaning the new prime minister will face an uphill struggle to turn the President’s policies into law.
When appointed, the new prime minister will become the fourth to hold office since Mr Macron was first elected as President in 2017.
