TheCastex government(French:gouvernement Castex) was the forty-second government of theFrench Fifth Republic,formed on 3 July 2020 and headed byJean CastexasPrime Ministerunder the presidency ofEmmanuel Macron.[1]It was dissolved on 16 May 2022, afterÉlisabeth Bornewas selected as prime minister following the re-election of Macron.
Castex government | |
|---|---|
 42nd Government of French Fifth Republic | |
 Castex in 2020 | |
| Date formed | 3 July 2020 |
| Date dissolved | 16 May 2022 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Emmanuel Macron |
| Prime Minister | Jean Castex |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Majority 345 / 577 (60%) |
| History | |
| Election | 2017 |
| Predecessor | Philippe II |
| Successor | Borne |
Context
editFormation
editAfter three years with the same government, the2020 municipal electionsraised the question of a new administration and led to speculations about a governmental reshuffle.[2]The performance of President Macron's party,La République En Marche!(LREM), at these elections strengthened the rumors.[3]On 3 July 2020,Édouard Philippetendered the resignation ofhis governmentto thePresident of the Republic.The same day, theÉlysée Palaceinformed the press that Jean Castex, incumbent Mayor ofPrades,would replace him and form a new government, the third since the election of Macron.[4][5]
At the time of his appointment, Castex was very little known, only for his management of France's exit of lockdown following theCOVID-19 pandemic.[6]The composition of the government was announced on 6 July 2020 byAlexis Kohler,Secretary-General of the Élysée Palace, with a sizeable number of ministers from the previous one retained.[7][8]Among the main changes,Gérald Darmanin,previously Minister for Public Accounts, replaced at the InteriorChristophe Castanerwho was heavily criticised byNational Police's unions following accusations of violence and racism in their ranks.[9]However, the nomination of Darmanin was met with protests by feminist movements over accusations of rape in 2009, as well as the one of Minister of JusticeÉric Dupond-Morettifor his defense as lawyer of men accused of rapes.[10]
The new cabinet also saw the return ofRoselyne Bachelot,who previously served as minister underJacques ChiracandNicolas Sarkozy,as well asBarbara Pompili,former Secretary of State for Biodiversity underFrançois Hollande,while main portfolios holders, such asJean-Yves Le Drian,Jean-Michel Blanquer,Bruno Le MaireorFlorence Parlyremained in office.
The Prime Minister delivered his policy speech before theNational Assemblyand asked for its confidence on 15 July 2020;[11][12]he obtained it by 345 votes out of 577.[13]
On 26 July, the remaining state secretaries were appointed.[14]Bruno Le Maire declared to be working at relaunching the French economy[15]while Castex said to be ready to reopen dialogue over a controversial pension reform. A plan for a new lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic was also said to be ready.[16]
Composition
edit- Ministers
- Deputy Ministers
- State Secretaries
References
edit- ^Government of the French Republic (3 July 2020)."Decree appointing the Prime Minister".legifrance.gouv.fr(in French).Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^"France votes in municipal elections with Paris mayoral race in the balance".France 24.28 June 2020.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Chris O'Brien (29 June 2020)."France Elections: Green Wave Scrambles Macron's 2022 Reelection Bid".Forbes.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Presidency of the French Republic (3 July 2020)."Jean CASTEX nommé Premier ministre".elysee.fr(in French).Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^"France's Macron picks Jean Castex as PM after Philippe resigns".BBC.3 July 2020.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Michel Rose (3 July 2020)."France's Macron picks little-known civil servant as new prime minister".Reuters.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Government of the French Republic (7 July 2020)."Decree on the composition of the Government".legifrance.gouv.fr(in French).Retrieved27 July2020.
- ^Pascale Davies & Alasdair Sandford withAFP(6 July 2020)."New French government named under Prime Minister Jean Castex in Macron reshuffle".Euronews.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^"French police protest against being 'abandoned' by the government".Radio France Internationale.15 June 2020.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Adam Nossiter (8 July 2020)."Macron's New Cabinet Stirs Ire of French Feminists".New York Times.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Marion Mourgue (6 July 2020)."Remaniement: Jean Castex fera son discours de politique générale le 15 juillet".Le Figaro.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^Sarah Belouezzane, Franck Johannès & Sylvia Zappi (16 July 2020)."Déclaration de politique générale de Jean Castex: l'opposition" déçue "à gauche comme à droite".Le Monde.Retrieved27 July2020.
- ^"Jean Castex obtient une large confiance de l'Assemblée nationale avec 345 votes favorables".France Info.15 July 2020.Retrieved27 July2020.
- ^Government of the French Republic (26 July 2020)."Decree on the composition of the Government".legifrance.gouv.fr(in French).Retrieved27 July2020.
- ^"Revamped French government takes office, tasked with restoring coronavirus-hit economy".France 24.7 July 2020.Retrieved11 July2020.
- ^"Coronavirus, pension reform and more – what France's new PM has said so far".Euractiv.9 July 2020.Retrieved11 July2020.