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French ministers hold final gathering before reshuffle

Government sources say the prime minister's and government's resignation can be expected in “the coming days” – most likely early next week.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

French prime minister Jean Castex on Thursday chaired what is likely to be his final Council of Ministers meeting after two years at the helm of the government, reports RFI

The 56-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that he and his government would resign “without delay” to allow for a new phase as freshly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron begins his new term on 13 May.

Government sources say his resignation can be expected in “the coming days” – most likely early next week.

Dozens of ministers, deputy ministers and secretaries of state were present at the Elysée Palace on Thursday morning for the meeting, which needed to be moved to the Elysée's party room to accommodate the high number of guests.

They’ve all been invited to attend a buffet lunch, described in the French press as a last supper of sorts, to mark the end of the 2017-2022 term. 

Read more of this report from RFI.