France President, Emmanuel Macron Appoints Jean Castex As New Prime Minister

French President, Emmanuel Macron has appointed Jean Castex, as the country's new prime minister after Edouard Philippe's resignation.

 

He replaces Edouard Philippe, who resigned earlier today with his government after President Macron promised a reshuffle for the last two years of his term.

 

Mr. Castex, 55, a senior civil servant played a key role in the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He coordinated France's reopening strategy after the lockdown.

 

One senior French official described him as the ideal “Macronian” choice, because he is both a respected high-level civil servant with government experience and an elected mayor of a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

 

He knows the arcane workings of Paris, but is also rooted locally in the countryside,” the official said. “He’s someone who comes from the right, but is a ‘social Gaullist’”.