The French government expects a ministerial reshuffle at the earliest mid-next week, following a possible no-confidence motion from the Rassemblement national. Three ministers are set to depart due to appointments or electoral candidacies. This timing respects the parliamentary schedule and the reserve period for municipal elections.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans a government reshuffle, but it has been postponed at least until the end of the current week. According to Matignon, as reported by Le Monde on Saturday, February 21, the changes will not occur before the examination of a possible no-confidence motion from the Rassemblement national (RN).
The motion concerns the energy roadmap adopted by decree, a step the RN describes as a « passage en force » since it had demanded parliamentary legislation. The far-right party may submit its text as early as Monday, leading to a debate in the National Assembly at the earliest on Wednesday, according to an executive source cited by Agence France-Presse.
Originally, Lecornu intended to carry out the reshuffle before the start of the reserve period for municipal elections, which begins in the night from Sunday to Monday. « The Prime Minister is waiting to know when the possible no-confidence motion from the Rassemblement national will be discussed » and « out of respect for Parliament, we will not modify the government beforehand », his entourage told Le Monde.
Among the confirmed departures are at least three ministers. Rachida Dati, in charge of Culture, is running for Paris mayor and has promised to leave her post before the March 15 elections, referencing Édouard Philippe's dual role in 2020. Amélie de Montchalin, Budget Minister, will assume her position at the Cour des comptes on Monday, requiring official removal on Sunday. Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq, responsible for autonomy and disabled persons, aims to return to her deputy seat.
This reshuffle occurs amid political tensions, with the RN initially seeking a cross-party motion on energy.
