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Previously ambassador in London, now the new foreign minister: Catherine Colonna
Photo: Philippe Wojazer / REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron has presented his new government.
Catherine Colonna will be the new foreign minister, the Elysée Palace in Paris announced.
The 66-year-old Colonna is the second woman to head the French foreign ministry after Michèle Alliot-Marie.
Most recently, she was France's ambassador to London and a former spokesperson for the late President Jacques Chirac.
The diplomat has previously held posts in Washington and Brussels, was ambassador to Italy and Secretary of State for European Affairs.
According to the announcement, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin will retain their posts, as will Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti.
Sébastien Lecornu, previously Minister for Overseas Territories, will be the new Defense Minister.
The former presidential adviser Rima Abdul Malak, who was born in Lebanon, will become culture minister.
Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for Europe, is promoted to Minister.
He was previously also responsible for Franco-German relations.
The new education minister is Pap Ndiaye, a historian with Senegalese roots.
General elections on June 12th and 19th
The Ministry of the Environment is being restructured: the previous Minister for Public Service, Amélie de Montchalin, will be responsible for environmental policy in future, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, previously Industry Minister, for the energy transition.
Already on Tuesday, Élisabeth Borne was appointed the new prime minister.
After his re-election on April 24, President Emmanuel Macron had to take various priorities and expectations into account during the government reshuffle, as he was only able to get re-elected with the support of other political camps.
The parliamentary elections in France are already scheduled for June 12th and 19th.
There, Macron wants to appeal to both left-wing and conservative voters with the new government.
dam/AFP/Reuters/dpa
