Factbox: Key Ministers in France’s New Government Line-Up

PARIS – Following the announcement of the new cabinet by French President Emmanuel Macron’s office on Saturday, here are the key ministerial appointments in the government reporting to Prime Minister Michel Barnier:

ANTOINE ARMAND, FINANCE MINISTER
Antoine Armand, 33, is a relative newcomer to politics, having been first elected to parliament in 2022 under Macron’s centrist party. He secured re-election in the recent snap legislative election. Initially set to lead the economic committee in the lower house, Armand was chosen by Barnier to oversee the influential Ministry of Economics and Finance. His background includes experience as a finance inspector after graduating from the prestigious Ecole Nationale d’Administration, which trains senior civil servants. He will be supported by Laurent Saint-Martin in managing budgetary matters, a critical area as France faces a growing budget deficit and considers potential spending cuts and tax increases.

BRUNO RETAILLEAU, INTERIOR MINISTER
Bruno Retailleau, 63, has been a conservative senator since 2004 and is known for his hard-right views, making him the highest-ranking member from the Republicans (LR) party in Barnier’s government. He played a significant role in shifting his party rightward amid France’s polarized political scene, particularly on contentious topics like immigration. As leader of the conservative senators, Retailleau has criticized attempts to tighten immigration policies under Macron, advocating for constitutional changes that would allow cuts to welfare benefits. He has also called for stricter actions against left-wing and environmental protests and opposes adding abortion rights to the constitution.

JEAN-NOEL BARROT, FOREIGN MINISTER
Jean-Noel Barrot, 41, ascends to the role of foreign minister after serving as the junior minister for European affairs since February 2024, following his tenure as minister for digital affairs. Coming from a politically prominent family, Barrot’s father held various ministerial positions and served as a European commissioner. He is viewed as a political balance within the cabinet, representing the centrist party led by Francois Bayrou, whose support is crucial for Macron.

BENJAMIN HADDAD, EUROPE MINISTER
Benjamin Haddad, 38, is a fluent English speaker with extensive contacts in Washington, having spent years at a think tank there. He was first elected to parliament in 2022 under Macron’s party banner and has been active in diplomatic matters, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. He successfully rallied European lawmakers to petition the U.S. Congress for aid to Ukraine at the end of 2023.

SEBASTIEN LECORNU, DEFENCE MINISTER
Sebastien Lecornu, a loyal supporter of Macron, retains his position as Defence Minister. A relatively low-profile figure, he began his career within conservative circles and was previously excluded from the Republicans after being appointed as a junior minister in Macron’s government in 2017.