This Thursday morning, while Bernard Cazeneuve was going to Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) to give courses in business law at the university, the former Prime Minister received, according to our information, a call from the Head of State. Emmanuel Macron informed him – a few hours before the official announcement – that he was going to appoint Michel Barnier to Matignon.
He then allegedly offered the former socialist, whose name had also been circulating in recent days, a position as Minister of State. “Bernard Cazeneuve does not reveal the content of his conversations, his entourage says, but there is no question of him entering the government.” The idea, in any case, of such an architecture does not seem new: “At the end of last week, the president had in mind to appoint the head of the Cese Thierry Beaudet to Matignon and to add two Ministers of State to him: Cazeneuve to Justice and the Interior; Bertrand to Labor, social issues and Bercy,” assures a source from the central bloc. A stillborn scenario after the barrage of fire from part of the Macron camp and the right on an appointment of Thierry Beaudet.
According to our information, Emmanuel Macron also personally informed Xavier Bertrand on Thursday morning, the other profile that was holding the rope, to inform him of his decision. The Elysée would also have liked Xavier Bertrand to accept being Minister of State – a possibility rejected by the person concerned.
