“Seeing Véran demote is a surprise”, what the composition of the ministers says

After four days of suspense, the secretary general of the Elysée Alexis Kohler finally made his entrance on the steps of the presidential palace, this Friday, to announce the names of the new ministers. Between continuity and surprises, what should we expect and retain from the Borne government? 20 minutes takes stock with Bruno Caustrès, researcher at CNRS and Cevipof.

Despite a few exceptions, this new government does not display any major surprises. It’s even more of a game of musical chairs between loyal macronists, isn’t it?

It is true that among the announced ministers, more than half come from the previous team. We see that the macronist hinge from the start remains in place and in particular with emblematic figures who remain in their posts, in particular Bruno Le Maire at the Ministry of Economy and Finance [auquel on rajoute la souveraineté numérique], or Gérald Darmanin inside. We also see iconic figures since 2017 staying, even if they are moved to different positions. I am thinking in particular of Sébastien Lecornu [ministre des Armées]Olivier Dussopt [ministre du Travail]Amelie de Montchalin [ministre de la Transition écologique et de la Cohésion des territoires]Olivier Veran [ministre délégué chargé des Relations avec le Parlement]Gabriel Attal [ministre du Budget]etc.

Should we still see a hand extended to the left, with the appointment of some socialist figures?

This is indeed part of the elements of innovation that are not at all uninteresting to observe. There are undoubtedly signals sent to the left with several personalities who were already in place, but who are gaining key positions. This is the case of Olivier Dussopt who as Minister of Labor will have to manage pensions; or even Brigitte Bourguignon who arrives at Health in place of Olivier Véran. In the end, we see that the left/right parity is more or less respected. However, the biggest ministries remain from the centre-right, rather than the centre-left.

The big surprise is finally the appointment of Pap Ndiaye who replaces Jean-Michel Blanquer at National Education. They are almost the only ones coming from civil society, is that a good message for teachers?

We note in fact that the two posts concerning Education were given to professionals: Pap Ndiaye, historian and university professor at Sciences Po, who clearly comes from the ranks of the left, was appointed Minister of National Education and Youth and Sylvie Retailleau, a high-level physicist and director of the University of Paris-Saclay, takes over the Ministry of Research. This reminds us that these two ministries are very important in the eyes of Emmanuel Macron, who sees education and training as central parts of his software.

However, these two ministries have been the scene of many controversies orchestrated by Jean-Michel Blanquer and Frédérique Vidal. Was it a bit of ministries to save in the end?

Indeed, if we take the case of National Education, there will undoubtedly be a contrast effect between Jean-Michel Blanquer and Pap Ndiaye. The former minister was a bit out of his field on certain topics, especially during the controversy over wokism. On the contrary, Pap Ndiaye, author of remarkable books on the black condition will undoubtedly embody something very different.

The big surprise is also the post given to Olivier Véran who is demoted to the rank of Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament and Democratic Life. However, his position is rather new. What should we expect for this wallet?

It is true that I expected to see the question of Emmanuel Macron’s new method of government being embodied in more new ministries. Basically, it is only for Olivier Véran that we see a significant change. It is one of my surprises to see him demoted, he is now only deputy minister when he was an emblematic minister of Covid-19, the French know him. However, “democratic life” can be a very important point since it is the area of ​​public action where Emmanuel Macron’s first term remained in stand by compared to the announced ambitions. Olivier Véran in democratic life will have to manage the reforms of voting methods or the question of restoring confidence in political life.

The entry of Republican Damien Abad was widely expected, but no one imagined him as Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities. What message does that leave?

Damien Abad recovers a theme and a title of ministry which, in my opinion, is a subject that he knows very well. It shows that this is the type of case on which he has great sensitivity. At the same time, it allows him to send a message to his former political family, the Republicans. This will allow him to undoubtedly mitigate the barrage of part of the LR who will cry treason, under a government mission of which he knows the subject. We will have to see what we will put behind solidarity. Is it the fight against exclusion, against poverty? If it’s solidarity in the strong sense of the term, it could become a very important position in government.