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France's newly re-appointed prime minister names new Cabinet in bid to quell political turmoil

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 20:08 GMT by Toronto Star
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France’s political landscape has been rattled by a wave of social unrest, economic uncertainty, and a succession of high‑profile resignations. In a bid to steady the country, President Emmanuel Macron has re‑appointed his prime minister and announced a brand‑new cabinet that promises sweeping reforms aimed at quelling the mounting turmoil.

The political context

France has been besieged by an unprecedented series of protests and strikes since late 2023. Workers across multiple sectors—from the transport and public utilities to the national rail operator SNCF—have demanded higher wages, better working conditions, and a more progressive pension system. At the same time, the “yellow‑vest” movement, which originally erupted in 2018 over fuel taxes, has resurfaced to protest broader economic inequalities and the perceived erosion of social welfare. Meanwhile, the French National Assembly has witnessed frequent no‑confidence votes and a fragmented parliamentary composition that has made passing key reforms a herculean task.

Against this backdrop, Macron’s government has struggled to maintain coherence. His predecessor, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, who had taken office in May 2022, stepped down in early February 2024 after a series of policy failures and a costly security scandal involving the French intelligence service. The resulting vacuum left Macron scrambling for a candidate who could navigate the delicate balance between appeasing the left‑wing opposition and retaining the support of the centrist Ensemble coalition.

Re‑appointment of the prime minister

In a surprise move that sent shockwaves through Parisian politics, Macron announced on 7 March 2024 that he had once again re‑appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. Attal, who had previously served as a junior minister for digital affairs, is a 32‑year‑old political newcomer who rose to prominence as a charismatic policy strategist and a trusted aide to the president. Attal’s record on youth, digital innovation, and gender equality has earned him a reputation as a fresh voice, but critics argue that his lack of cabinet experience could hinder his ability to command respect from seasoned parliamentarians.

The decision to bring Attal back was motivated in part by Macron’s need for a dynamic figure who could unite a fragmented coalition and re‑energise the administration’s reform agenda. Attal’s re‑appointment is also a signal to international partners that France remains committed to its post‑pandemic economic recovery plan, including the European Union’s new “Growth and Resilience” framework.

The new cabinet: composition and priorities

Attal’s cabinet, unveiled on 8 March, contains 23 ministers, including three women and one openly gay minister—a symbolic move toward greater representation. Key appointments include:

• Laurent Fabius as Minister of Finance, a former president of the French Senate and ex‑Foreign Minister. Fabius is expected to steer a new fiscal strategy that prioritises debt reduction and increased public investment in renewable energy.

• Élise Lucet as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. Lucet, a former trade‑union leader, has pledged to negotiate a national wage‑setting framework that balances employee benefits with business competitiveness.

• Nicolas Dufour as Minister for Digital and Innovation, a young technocrat who will oversee reforms aimed at expanding digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.

• Mireille Schaeffer as Minister of Culture and Education, tasked with modernising the French education system to better align with the demands of the 21st‑century labour market.

The cabinet also sees the creation of a new “Minister for Climate Transition,” a position previously unfilled, reflecting the growing urgency of environmental policy. Attal has tasked this office with ensuring France meets its Paris Agreement commitments while driving green jobs and transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Reactions across the political spectrum

The new cabinet has elicited mixed responses. The centre‑left Socialist Party welcomed Attal’s appointment as a positive step, arguing that the inclusion of Fabius and Lucet would help bridge the divide between pro‑economic reformers and social justice advocates. Conversely, the far‑right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, slammed the government for “deepening the neoliberal agenda” and pledged to intensify protests in the coming weeks.

European leaders have largely praised Macron’s initiative. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that the new cabinet signals “France’s commitment to a coordinated EU recovery plan,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the climate office, emphasizing the need for stronger EU‑wide environmental regulations.

Challenges ahead

Despite the optimism surrounding the new cabinet, significant hurdles loom. Internally, the Ensemble coalition remains fractured, with several junior parties wary of Fabius’s fiscal tightening proposals. Externally, the French economy still grapples with inflationary pressures and a sluggish labour market. The government will also have to confront a string of strikes that threaten to disrupt essential services, testing Attal’s negotiation skills.

In conclusion, France’s newly re‑appointed prime minister, Gabriel Attal, has assembled a cabinet that reflects a blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience. By prioritising fiscal prudence, labour reform, digital innovation, and climate action, the administration hopes to quell the country’s growing unrest and guide France toward a more stable future. Whether Attal’s gamble pays off remains to be seen, but the announcement has undeniably reshaped the political narrative and set a new course for the nation.