Conservatives Rise to Prominence in New Macron Government

Conservatives Rise to Prominence in New Macron Government
French Junior Industry Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher, le French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, French Junior Minister of Public Action and Accounts Olivier Dussopt, and French Junior Minister of Small and Medium Entreprises Alain Griset arrive to attend the first weekly cabinet meeting after the government reshuffle, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on July 7, 2020. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)
Reuters
7/7/2020
Updated:
7/7/2020

PARIS—President Emmanuel Macron’s reshuffled government took office on Tuesday, with conservatives given prominent roles in efforts to rescue France’s coronavirus-ravaged economy from the worst depression in decades.

Reappointed as finance minister, Bruno Le Maire promised a company-focused recovery plan to revive growth, but said he would not lose control over spending.

Le Maire said he faced a “crushing task” confronted by the severest economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. “My road map is clear and simple: it will be recovery—morning, noon, and night.”

The coronavirus crisis has unravelled the hard-fought gains of a liberal economic reform agenda that provoked waves of protests during Macron’s first three years in office.

Before the pandemic hit, French growth was among the highest in the euro zone, unemployment was falling and foreign investors were rewarding Macron for deregulating parts of the economy.

French President Emmanuel Macron (back row, center), French Prime Minister Jean Castex (3rd-L), and the newly appointed ministers attend the first weekly cabinet meeting after the government reshuffle, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, on July 7, 2020. (Ian Langsdon/AFP via Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron (back row, center), French Prime Minister Jean Castex (3rd-L), and the newly appointed ministers attend the first weekly cabinet meeting after the government reshuffle, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, on July 7, 2020. (Ian Langsdon/AFP via Getty Images)

But now the jobless rate is rising, the government forecasts the economy will shrink by 11 percent and debt is spiraling higher.

“It is out of the question that economic stimulus gets done at the expense of well-managed public accounts over the long term,” Le Maire continued.

The reshuffle saw former conservatives, including Le Maire, in control of the most influential ministries—a sign Macron will seek to consolidate support among centre-right voters ahead of a possible re-election bid.

An Odoxa-Dentsu consulting poll showed eight in 10 people believed the reshuffle would not lead to a shift in policy direction.

Macron redrew the political landscape when he swept to power three years ago, carving out a niche in the centre ground and poaching ministers from the left and right.

On Monday, he let go of several former Socialist ministers, while promoting others from conservative ranks.

By Michel Rose and Leigh Thomas