Borne government

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Borne government
NUPES
  •   LR
  • History
    Election(s)2022 French legislative election
    Legislature term(s)
    PredecessorCastex government
    SuccessorAttal government

    The Borne government (French: gouvernement Borne) was the forty-third government of the French Fifth Republic, formed on 16 May 2022 and headed by Élisabeth Borne as Prime Minister under President Emmanuel Macron. It served as a caretaker government until 9 January 2024 when Gabriel Attal was appointed Prime Minister by Macron.

    Despite its

    pension reform bill
    .

    The Borne government was reshuffled twice, first in

    July 2023
    .

    It was the first French government not to formally resign after a legislative election since Georges Clemenceau's second ministry in 1919.

    Amid a

    major political crisis, the government was dissolved following Borne's resignation in January 2024 and was succeeded by the Attal government
    .

    History

    Formation

    On 16 May 2022, more than three weeks after the presidential election and 9 days after the second inauguration of Emmanuel Macron, Jean Castex tendered the resignation of his government to the President of the Republic. The same day, the Élysée Palace informed the press that Élisabeth Borne, incumbent Minister of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion, would replace him and form a new government, the fourth since the election of Macron.[1]

    Thus, Elisabeth Borne became the second female Prime minister of France, after

    Edith Cresson
    between 1991 and 1992

    June 2022 legislative election

    Just about a month into its tenure, the Borne government fought the

    2022 French legislative elections on the 12 and 19 June. Throughout the campaign, the government faced several political controversies such as rape accusations against newly appointed Minister for Solidarity Damien Abad and the 2022 UEFA Champions League final chaos
    and its handling that drew widespread criticism at home and abroad.

    In the first round, Macron's

    NUPES coalition in the popular vote (25.8% vs. 25.7%). The National Rally
    (RN) came in third, with 18.7% of the votes. When compared with the 2017 legislative election's results, it represented a sharp decline from the 32.3% of votes Macron's coalition had attracted 5 years earlier. Nonetheless, the governing coalition was projected to retain its absolute majority, though by a razor-thin margin, in the second round by most pollsters.

    In the second round, the Borne government unexpectedly lost its parliamentary majority and the legislative election resulted in a

    Justine Bénin
    (junior minister for the Sea).

    Borne, speaking from the Hôtel Matignon, told the French: "Tonight the situation is unprecedented. Never has the National Assembly known such a configuration under the Fifth Republic. This situation poses a risk for our country given the challenges we have to face both at home and abroad".

    July 2022 reshuffle

    Following the failure to secure a majority in the June elections but also as a republican custom after parliamentary elections, Elisabeth Borne offered her resignation to President Macron on the 21 June, but he refused it and asked her government to remain in office. Thus, Macron broke with an old unwritten rule under which, after parliamentary elections, the Prime Minister formally resigns and is re-appointed by the President, with the task of forming a new government.

    On the 21 and 22 June, Macron held talks with the leaders of parties represented in parliament in an effort to secure a working majority either by forming a coalition government with an opposition party or by forming a national unity Government. The talks failed to produce any tangible result. On 22 June, Macron addressed the Nation, acknowledging there was no majority in the new Assembly and calling on the "spirit of responsibility" of all political parties.

    At the end of the month, Borne in turn held talks with parliamentary leaders from the opposition in order to find common ground and break the political deadlock in sight. The talks again failed.

    On 4 July, Borne officially formed a minority government and Macron reshuffled the Cabinet on her proposal: senior ministers personally defeated in June were replaced and several new junior ministers were appointed, but in general manner, there was no significant change from the cabinet appointed in May. The same day, the Government's spokesperson, Olivier Véran, announced that the Government would not seek a vote of confidence in the lower house as it is customary (but not obligatory).

    On 5 July, the Borne government easily survived a

    motion of no-confidence
    tabled by the left-wing NUPES coalition.

    16th legislature

    On 20 March 2023, the Borne government narrowly survived a cross-party motion of no-confidence, clinging onto office by only 9 votes (278 votes against the government, therefore failing to reach the 287-threshold required to bring down the Cabinet), over the use of constitutional article 49.3 to push through the 2023 pension reform bill in the National Assembly.[2]

    Motion of no confidence
    tabled by
    NUPES
    MPs
    Ballot → 20 March 2023
    Required majority → 287 out of 573 ☒N
    Votes in favour
    • RN (88)
    • LFI (74)
    • SOC
      (31)
    • ECO (22)
    • GDR (22)
    • LR (19)
    • LIOT
      (18)
    • NI
      (4)
    278 / 573
    Abstentions or absentees

    (de facto against the motion since only votes in favour are counted)

    295 / 573
    Source

    On 12 June 2023, the Borne Cabinet survived its 17th motion of no-confidence since the beginning of the 16th legislature: the motion, brought forward by left-wing NUPES coalition in response to the use of constitutional article 40 to block an opposition-sponsored amendment reintroducing the 62-year retirement age on the centrist LIOT group's opposition day, was defeated with only 239 votes, 50 votes short of the 289-threshold required to overthrow the government.[3]

    July 2023 reshuffle

    In April 2023, speaking in the immediate aftermath of the contentious debates over his pension system reform, President Macron asked his government for a "hundred days of appeasement and action", citing ecology, work, social progress, justice and republican order as top priorities for the next months and told the Nation that he would assess the progress made at the end of the political period. Additionally, Macron again invited Prime Minister Borne to broaden her parliamentary support by forging "new coalitions and alliances" since her government found itself 38 shy of an overall majority in Parliament as a result of the June 2022 legislative election.

    Over the 100-day period, the Borne government oversaw little legislative progress on the issues deemed as top priorities by Macron: following the difficult passage of the pension system reform, the government entered discussions with trade unions on a future Bill regarding life at work, a full employment Bill was passed by the Senate in first reading early July, the introduction of the immigration and asylum Bill was postponed amid fears of defeat in Parliament and diverse announcements related to the youth and the education system were made. Regarding the minority status of her government in legislature, Borne again failed to form a stable majority government and had to carry on her approach of working with moderate opposition parties to advance legislation, on a case-by-case basis, through Parliament.

    Even though protests and street violence related to the pension reform calmed down throughout the weeks, which was deemed a success for Macron and his administration, France saw several days of race riots and widespread unrest in early Summer following the killing of the 17-year-old Nahel M. during a traffic stop by the police.

    Despite rumors about a potential change of Prime Minister, on 17 July 2023, the Élysée Palace confirmed reports that Macron had asked Borne to remain in office and invited her to make proposals for a government reshuffle.

    On 20 July, the new composition of the Cabinet was announced: 8 new ministers were appointed, 3 senior Cabinet ministers (Education, Health and Solidarity) and 5 junior ministers. Additionally, State Secretary to the Prime Minister Marlène Schiappa, a prominent figure of the Macron Presidency since 2017, was sacked.

    Initial composition

    On 20 May 2022, the composition of the government (excluding the Prime Minister) was announced by Alexis Kohler from the steps of the Élysée Palace. The members of the previous government remained in office to deal with current and urgent matters until the appointment of the new government, as provided for in the French Constitution.

    Ministers

    Portfolio Name Party
    Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne
    LREM-TDP
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Bruno Le Maire
    LREM
    Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin
    LREM
    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna SE
    Minister of Justice / Keeper of the Seals Éric Dupond-Moretti SE
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Amélie de Montchalin
    LREM
    Minister of National Education and Youth Pap Ndiaye SE
    Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu
    LREM
    Minister of Health Brigitte Bourguignon
    LREM-TDP
    Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration Olivier Dussopt TDP
    Minister for Solidarity, Autonomy and the Disabled Damien Abad SE
    Minister of Higher Education Sylvie Retailleau SE
    Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Marc Fesneau MoDem
    Minister for Transformation and Civil Service
    Stanislas Guerini
    LREM
    Minister for Overseas France Yaël Braun-Pivet
    LREM
    Minister for Culture Rima Abdul Malak SE
    Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher
    LREM-TDP
    Minister for Sport and the Olympic & Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra
    LREM
    Deputy Ministers
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    Minister for Relations with Parliament and Citizen Participation Prime Minister Olivier Véran
    LREM-TDP
    Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Isabelle Lonvis-Rome SE
    Minister for Public Accounts
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Gabriel Attal
    LREM
    Minister of Territorial Collectivities
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Christophe Béchu HOR
    Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Franck Riester Agir
    Minister for European Affairs Clément Beaune
    LREM-TDP
    State Secretaries
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    Government Spokesperson
    Prime Minister Olivia Grégoire
    LREM
    State Secretary for the Sea Justine Benin SE
    State Secretary for Children Charlotte Caubel SE
    State Secretary for Development, the Francophonie, and International Partnerships Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Chrysoula Zacharopoulou
    LREM

    Change of the composition of the government in June 2022

    In June 2022 Yaël Braun-Pivet resigned to be a candidate for the presidency of the National Assembly. She was replaced, as interim, by Elisabeth Borne.

    Change of the composition of the government in July 2022

    Following the French legislative elections, a change in the composition of the government was announced on 4 July 2022.

    The reshuffle of the Borne government comes following the

    Ensemble
    coalition did not obtain an absolute majority in the National Assembly but only a relative majority. This therefore forced Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to review her government to be more in line with the new legislature. In particular, the president and then the prime minister met with the party leaders and then the leaders of the parliamentary groups in order to find if the idea of a coalition government can be implemented.

    Ministers

    Portfolio Name Party
    Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne RE
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Bruno Le Maire RE
    Overseas
    Gérald Darmanin RE
    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna SE
    Minister of Justice / Keeper of the Seals Éric Dupond-Moretti SE
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Christophe Béchu HOR
    Minister of National Education and Youth Pap Ndiaye SE
    Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu RE
    Minister of Health and Prevention François Braun SE
    Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration Olivier Dussopt RE
    Minister for Solidarity, Autonomy and the Disabled Jean-Christophe Combe SE
    Minister of Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retailleau SE
    Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Marc Fesneau MoDem
    Minister for Transformation and Civil Service
    Stanislas Guerini RE
    Minister for Culture Rima Abdul Malak SE
    Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher RE
    Minister for Sport and the Olympic & Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra RE
    Deputy Ministers
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    Minister for Democratic Renewal,
    Government Spokesman
    Prime Minister Olivier Véran RE
    Minister for Relations with Parliament Franck Riester RE
    Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Isabelle Lonvis-Rome SE
    Minister for Public Accounts
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Gabriel Attal RE
    Minister for Industry Roland Lescure RE
    Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noël Barrot MoDem
    Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts and Tourism Olivia Grégoire RE
    Minister of Territorial Collectivities
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Caroline Cayeux SE
    Minister of Overseas
    Overseas
    Jean-François Carenco RE
    Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olivier Becht RE
    Minister for Education and Vocational Training Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration
    Minister of National Education and Youth
    Carole Grandjean RE
    Minister of Transport
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Clément Beaune RE
    Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein FP
    Minister for Territorial Organization and Health Professions Minister of Health and Prevention Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo HOR
    Minister for People with Disabilities Minister for Solidarity, Autonomy and the Disabled Geneviève Darrieussecq MoDem
    State Secretaries
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    State Secretary for the Social and Solidarity Economy and Associative Life Prime Minister Marlène Schiappa RE
    State Secretary for the Sea
    Hervé Berville
    RE
    State Secretary for Children Charlotte Caubel SE
    State Secretary for Citizenship
    Overseas
    Sonia Backès LRC
    State Secretary for European Affairs Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Laurence Boone SE
    State Secretary for Development, the Francophonie, and International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou RE
    State Secretary for Youth and National Universal Service Minister of the Armed Forces
    Minister of National Education and Youth
    Sarah El Haïry MoDem
    State Secretary for Veterans and Remembrance Minister of the Armed Forces Patricia Mirallès RE
    State Secretary for Ecology
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Bérangère Couillard RE
    State Secretary for Rural Affairs Dominique Faure PR

    Change of the composition of the government in July 2023

    In April 2023, speaking in the immediate aftermath of the contentious debates over his pension system reform, President Macron asked his government for a "hundred days of appeasement and action", citing ecology, work, social progress, justice and republican order as top priorities for the next months and told the Nation that he would assess the progress made at the end of the political period. Additionally, Macron again invited Prime Minister Borne to broaden her parliamentary support by forging "new coalitions and alliances" since her government found itself 38 shy of an overall majority in Parliament as a result of the June 2022 legislative election.

    Despite rumors about a potential change of Prime Minister at the end of the 100-day period, on 17 July 2023, the Élysée Palace confirmed reports that Macron had asked Borne to remain in office and invited her to make proposals for a government reshuffle.

    On 20 July 2023, a change in the composition of the government was announced.

    Change of the composition of the government in September 2023/October 2023

    In September 2023, State Secretary for Citizenship Sonia Backès resigned after being defeated in the 2023 Senate election. She was replaced on 10 October 2023 by Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, who gained the Citizenship portfolio in addition to Cities Portfolio.[4]

    Change of the composition of the government in December 2023

    In December 2023, Health Minister

    Aurélien Rousseau resigned from the government over his opposition to the "controversial" immigration bill passed by the French Parliament and backed by the Cabinet.[5] Hours later, Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo
    was appointed as Minister of Health and Prevention.

    Composition

    Ministers

    Portfolio Name Party
    Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne RE
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Bruno Le Maire RE
    Overseas
    Gérald Darmanin RE
    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna SE
    Minister of Justice / Keeper of the Seals Éric Dupond-Moretti SE
    Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu RE
    Minister of Labour, Full Employment and Inclusion Olivier Dussopt RE
    Minister of National Education and Youth Gabriel Attal RE
    Minister of Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retailleau SE
    Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Marc Fesneau MoDem
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Christophe Béchu HOR
    Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher RE
    Minister for Culture Rima Abdul Malak SE
    Minister of Health and Prevention Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo HOR
    Minister for Solidarity and Family Aurore Bergé RE
    Minister for Transformation and Civil Service
    Stanislas Guerini RE
    Minister for Sport and the Olympic & Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra RE
    Deputy Ministers
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    Minister for Democratic Renewal,
    Government Spokesman
    Prime Minister Olivier Véran RE
    Minister for Relations with Parliament Franck Riester RE
    Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Bérangère Couillard RE
    Minister for Industry
    Minister of Economy, Finances and Industrial & Digital Sovereignty
    Roland Lescure RE
    Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noël Barrot MoDem
    Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts and Tourism Olivia Grégoire RE
    Minister for Public Accounts Thomas Cazenave RE
    Minister for Territorial Collectivities and Rural Affairs
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Dominique Faure PR
    Minister of Overseas
    Overseas
    Philippe Vigier MoDem
    Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olivier Becht RE
    Minister for Education and Vocational Training Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration
    Minister of National Education and Youth
    Carole Grandjean RE
    Minister of Transport
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Clément Beaune RE
    Minister for Housing Patrice Vergriete SE
    Minister for People with Disabilities Minister for Solidarity and Family Fadila Khattabi RE
    State Secretaries
    Portfolio Attached minister Name Party
    State Secretary for Children Prime Minister Charlotte Caubel SE
    State Secretary for the Sea
    Hervé Berville
    RE
    State Secretary for Cities
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Sabrina Agresti-Roubache RE
    State Secretary for Citizenship
    Overseas
    State Secretary for European Affairs Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Laurence Boone SE
    State Secretary for Development, the Francophonie, and International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou RE
    State Secretary for Youth and National Universal Service Minister of the Armed Forces
    Minister of National Education and Youth
    Prisca Thévenot
    RE
    State Secretary for Veterans and Remembrance Minister of the Armed Forces Patricia Mirallès RE
    State Secretary for Biodiversity
    Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion
    Sarah El Haïry MoDem

    Civil service

    Notes

    1. ^ Does not include the Prime Minister.

    References

    1. ^ "Le Président de la République a nommé Mme Elisabeth BORNE, Première ministre et l'a chargée de former un Gouvernement". elysee.fr (in French). 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
    2. ^ "Réforme des retraites (PLFRSS pour 2023) : Rejet de deux motions de censure et adoption du texte (Lecture CMP)".
    3. ^ "Retraites : La motion de censure de la Nupes rejetée à l'Assemblée". 2023-06-12.
    4. ^ "Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, secrétaire d'Etat à la ville, récupère le portefeuille de la citoyenneté". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
    5. ^ "Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau offered his resignation after the passage of the immigration bill". BFMTV (in French). 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-20.