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French President Emmanuel Macron named Jean Castex – who coordinated Frances reopening strategy after almost two months of Covid-19 lockdown – the countrys new prime minister on Friday as part of an expected cabinet reshuffle.
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The relatively low-profile Castex replaces Édouard Philippe, who resigned earlier in the day as is expected before a government reshuffle. Macron is reshaping his government to focus on restarting the economy after months of lockdown and a poor showing for his party in local elections last week.
Castex, 55, is a career public servant who has worked with multiple governments. The gradual reopening plan he has spearheaded for Macron has been generally viewed as a success so far.
In an interview given to several local newspapers on Thursday, Macron said he is seeking a “new path” to rebuild the country for the two remaining years of his term. He also praised the outgoing Philippes “outstanding work” over the past three years.
“I will need to make choices to lead [the country] down the path,” Macron said.
Who is Jean Castex, Frances new prime minister?
The reshuffle comes days after a green wave swept over France in local elections last Sunday, when Macron saw his young centrist party defeated in Frances biggest cities.
Macrons policies, which critics say favoured the wealthy, had been most vocally opposed by the Yellow Vest protests, whose weeks of strikes and street demonstrations against a planned pension overhaul disrupted the country throughout much of 2019.
Moreover, Macrons efforts to boost job creation have been swept away by the economic and social consequences of the countrys lockdown.
Macrons government had been facing obstacles and criticism even before the virus crisis. But as the pandemic was peaking in the country in March and April, authorities came under fire anew for the lack of masks, tests and medical equipment.
The government issued a €460 billion emergency package through a state-funded partial employment plan, tax cuts and other financial aids for businesses. But Macron needs to adapt his policies further, as Frances economy is expected to shrink by 11% this year.
The unemployment rate that fell from 9.2% at the beginning of Macrons term in 2017 to 7.6% earlier this year – its lowest level since 2008 – is now expected Read More – Source
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