Eight out in cabinet reshuffle

THE NEPHEW of former French President François Mitterrand, Frédéric Mitterrand has been appointed the new minister of culture in a cabinet reshuffle.

Eight ministers have been replaced by President Nicolas Sarkozy in the reshuffle which was prompted by the departures of Justice Minister Rachida Dati and Agricultural Minister Michel Barnier who leave to take up their posts as MEPs.

Mitterrand, a writer, director, historian, actor and TV presenter said it was an honour to take up the position.

The appointment of an openly gay man to a cabinet position follows Sarkozy’s attempts to broaden the ethnic, gender and even political diversity of those running the country.

Mitterrand replaces Christine Albanel, whose Hadopi law against internet piracy was largely neutered by France’s constitutional council following a disastrous passage through parliament.

Parliament minister Roger Karoutchi, Sports Minister Bernard Laporte, Minister for Overseas Territories Yves Jégo, Housing Minister Christine Boutin and Minister for the Civil Service André Santini have also been shown the door.

Key new positions

Minister of Justice: Michèle Alliot-Marie
Interior Minister: Brice Hortefeux
Labour, social relations, family: Xavier Darcos
Education: Luc Chatel (remains government spokesman)
Food, agriculture, fisheries: Bruno Le Maire
Culture: Frédéric Mitterrand
Rural territories: Michel Mercier
Relations with parliament: Henri de Raincourt
Industry: Christian Estrosi
State secretary for sport: Rama Yade (her position of Minister for Human Rights has been scrapped).
State secretary for European affairs: Pierre Lellouche

Staying put

Jean-Louis Borloo, Bernard Kouchner, Christine Lagarde, Valérie Pécresse, Patrick Devedjian, Hervé Morin, Roselyne Bachelot, Eric Besson, Laurent Wauquiez, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Dominique Bussereau, Fadela Amara, Alain Marleix, Anne-Marie Idrac, Alain Joyandet, Chantal Jouanno, Martin Hirsch remain in their positions.

Photo: Medef