Emmanuel Macron Announces Elisabeth Borne as Prime Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Labour Minister Elizabeth Borne as Prime Minister on Monday, May 16, 2022, to lead his ambitious reform program, the first woman to lead the French government in more than 30 years.

Former French Prime Minister Jean Castex has previously handed his resignation to the president. This is part of a widely-anticipated restructuring to give way to the new government after Macron was re-elected in April.

Edith Cresson was the last woman who headed the Cabinet from May 1991 to April 1992 under the presidency of Francois Mitterrand.

Borne, 61, is said to be a capable technocrat who can carefully negotiate with the union while the president announces a new package of social reforms, especially raising the retirement age. According to a French presidential official, Ms. Borne is a woman of conviction, action, and realization, noting her capacity to carry out reforms. 

Ms. Cresson, who knows Ms. Borne personally said, “It was high time there was another woman.” “She is a remarkable person, with great experience in the public experience in the public and private sectors. She is a very good choice because she is a remarkable person, not just because she is a woman.” she added.