Macron reshuffles cabinet, hoping to a draw line under turbulent few months

President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron reshuffled his government on Tuesday, naming the head of his ruling party to the sensitive post of interior minister and maintaining a left-right balance as he builds a broad base to fight the 2019 European elections.

Macron’s immediate aim is to steady an administration after a series of resignations that have challenged his authority. He also wants to inject new energy into his social and economic reform agenda and reverse a slump in his popularity.

France’s leader had been expected to announce the revamp last week before postponing it, a delay he said was to ensure the right decisions were made but which opponents said raised questions about the depth of experience in his party.

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A Macron aide said there would be no shift in policy direction.

“We have at the same time incoming names with a reputation in their areas of expertise, which will strengthen the government’s efficiency, and others who have a broader profile,” the official said.

Macron and his prime minister, Edouard Philippe, had been weighing the reshuffle for two weeks following the resignation of interior minister Gerard Collomb, one of Macron’s earliest backers. Collomb’s departure followed two other ministerial resignations just weeks earlier.

In the end, the appointment of Christophe Castaner as interior minister, moving from the position of head of Macron’s political party, was the only high profile change.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who has spearheaded Macron’s eurozone reform push, and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian retained their posts.

S-Davies Wande