New French Prime Minister announces key cabinet positions

New French Socialist Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault announced his new cabinet yesterday, a day after Francois Hollande took office as president.

New President Hollande (left) and Prime Minister Ayrault.

Mr Hollande's campaign director, Pierre Moscovici, has been named finance minister and former prime minister Laurent Fabius as foreign minister.

But in a significant move, Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry has turned down a position to head the “High Ministry”. Sources say Ms Aubry will not join the cabinet unless she is appointed prime minister.

Mr Ayrault, an ally of new President Hollande, said goodbye to his predecessor Francois Fillon at the Matignon palace yesterday morning but his new cabinet was only announced in the evening.

According to news channel BFMTV, Mr Ayrault spent four hours yesterday afternoon discussing the cabinet with President Hollande.

Although Mr Hollande has pledged that women will fill half of the new cabinet, few have been given top positions. However, French media have reported that of the 34 ministerial posts, 17 have been given to women, including in the areas of justice, culture, ecology and sport.

Christiane Taubira, a member of parliament from French Guiana, became justice minister. She reportedly turned down a position offered to her by President Sarkozy five years ago. Nicole Bricq was appointed ecology minister.

Several cabinet positions were also reserved for close advisers to new President Hollande.

Like Mr. Hollande, the new French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has never held a senior position in the government but is the mayor of the city of Nates and a prestigious parliamentarian.

The first cabinet meeting of the new government will be held today, May 17.

According to Dan Tri/BBC