With four ministers of state, François Bayrou's new government is banking on heavyweights. It is a name freely decided during the composition of the executive, by the head of government.
Four ministers of state. With his government casting, François Bayrou is banking on heavyweights. On the occasion of the appointment of his new team of ministers, the head of government gave this name to four of the ministerial portfolios.
A government construction that France had not known since Edouard Philippe. Under the executives of Michel Barnier, as well as Gabriel Attal, Elisabeth Borne or Jean Castex, the governments did not include any “minister of state”. François Bayrou therefore awarded this title this Monday to Bruno Retailleau, Gérald Darmanin, Manuel Valls and Elisabeth Borne.
Bayrou government: announcement of the composition in full
Honorary, but very political
Although François Bayrou's government stands out for its large number of ministers of state, this is not a record. In 1991, under Edith Cresson, there were five ministers of state, with Lionel Jospin, Pierre Bérégovoy, Roland Dumas, Jean-Pierre Soisson and Michel Delebarre. Just like under the governments of Michel Rocard, Pierre Mauroy or even Georges Pompidou on several occasions.
According to the “Public Life” website, “the title of Minister of State has either an honorary significance (André Malraux from 1959 to 1969), or a political significance (in order, for example, to distinguish the leaders of the majority parties)”. A “title is assigned less and less”, explains the website of the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information.
Traditionally, this title makes it possible to establish a protocol order. Ministers of State are placed after the Prime Minister, but before all other ministers. If the title is honorary, the Minister of State can organize interministerial meetings, a prerogative usually in the hands of the Prime Minister.
Related News :