- Title: Parisians set low expectations, no 'magic wand' in new French government
- Date: 24th December 2024
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SAINT LAZARE TRAIN STATION PEOPLE EXITING SUBWAY STATION (SOUNDBITE) ( French) PARISIAN, PATRICIA CAROTINE, SAYING: "I don't expect anything from it (the new government), because it's clear that the further things go, the more catastrophic they become. I don't see it, unless there's a magic wand, I don't think there's one. I really don't see any improvement for
- Embargoed: 7th January 2025 10:09
- Keywords: FRANCE GOVERNMENT REACTION
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002918924122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Parisians set low expectations from France's newly appointed ministers, which many say are not representative of the population.
The new government is composed of former ministers and senior civil servants that Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will hope can oversee the passage of a 2025 budget and prevent a deepening of the country's crisis.
Among the appointments are former interior minister Gerald Darmanin, taking over the justice ministry, and former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, tasked with education.
The future of the government will depend on whether they can agree on the budget, which many observers are pessimistic about.
Eric Lombard, 66, the head of Caisse des Depots, the investment arm of the French government, became finance minister, working with Amélie de Montchalin as budget minister.
They will need to begin work immediately with Bayrou on passing a 2025 budget bill after parliamentary pushback over the proposed legislation led to the toppling of Bayrou's predecessor, former Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
Bayrou's new team will be under immediate pressure to slim down a deficit expected to end the year at above 6% of gross domestic product.
(Production: Lauren Bacquie, Antony Paone) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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