Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne appointed Minister of SMEs

Emmanuel Macron has decided. After the resignation of Alain Griset, minister sentenced this Wednesday to a six-month suspended prison sentence for having failed to declare part of his assets to the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP), the president of the Republic chose a successor for him. He appointed Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne Minister Delegate in charge of Small and Medium Enterprises.

The current Minister Delegate in charge of Tourism, the French Abroad and the Francophonie also retains his functions at the Quai d’Orsay. Former senator from Yonne, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne entered the government when Edouard Philippe’s second team was formed in July 2017.

Traveling to Vichy, Emmanuel Macron said he was “very sad” for Alain Griset who did an “excellent job” and “took up his responsibilities” by resigning. Prime Minister Jean Castex also “welcomed the spirit of responsibility which founded this decision”, thanking the former minister “for the remarkable work accomplished within the government collective, in particular at the height of the health crisis”.