Jean Castex

French ministers hold final gathering before reshuffle

France — Link

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

Macron set to name next PM as focus moves to legislative elections

France — Link

Analysts suggest Élisabeth Borne, the employment minister, could be France’s second female prime minister.

France to suspend rules requiring Covid vaccine passes on March 14

France — Link

Face masks will also no longer be needed indoors from March 14, with the exception of on public transport.

French government presents roadmap for easing of Covid restrictions

France — Link

French Prime Minister Jean Castex and health minister Olivier Véran on Thursday presented the planned gradual lifting of current public restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19, with mass gatherings allowed from early February, when staff home-working where practical will no longer be required, and the reopening of night clubs after the middle of the month.

French ICU nurses to get monthly bonus of 100 euros

France — Link

French prime minister Jean Castex made announcement during a tour of an intensive care unit.

French PM meets Pope as child sex abuse scandal fallout spreads

France — Link

Jean Castex's visit to the Vatican on Monday morning was  overshadowed by reactions following the publication of the conclusions of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church. 

French justice minister Éric Dupond-Moretti faces judicial probe over conflict of interest

France

For the first time in the history of the French republic, a serving minister of justice has been placed under formal investigation by examining magistrates. On Friday July 16th Éric Dupond-Moretti was told he faces a judicial probe by the Cour de Justice de la République (CJR) – which handles allegations relating to a minister's official functions - over claims of an unlawful conflict of interest between his position as justice minister under President Emmanuel Macron and his previous role as a high-profile lawyer. In particular Dupond-Moretti is suspected of using his ministerial post to settle scores with prosecutors and a judge with whom he clashed when working as a lawyer. Lawyers acting for Dupond-Moretti, who denies any wrongdoing, say he intends to stay in his position despite the judicial investigation. Fabrice Arfi reports.

French PM says country close to 'exiting' Covid-19 crisis

France — Link

As France tentatively moves towards lifting restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic, including the re-opening of restaurants, cinemas and museums and a shorter overnight curfew, Prime Minister Jean Castex claimed the country was 'coming out of this health crisis', above all through vaccinations.

French PM says third wave 'seems over' as ICU numbers near record

France — Link

France's prime minister Jean Castex said that travel restrictions will be relaxed from early next month.

Scandal of racist and sexist language used at organisation delivering Paris Olympics

France — Investigation

An investigation by Mediapart has revealed a pattern of anti-Roma insults, sexist behaviour and prejudice towards residents of a high-immigration area among certain staff at an organisation helping to deliver the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. After Mediapart raised the issue with management three employees at SOLIDEO – the body overseeing construction of the Games infrastructure - have been suspended and an internal inquiry has been established. Previous attempts to raise the issue internally, including the referral of complaints to the office of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo,  apparently had little effect. Jade Lindgaard and Antton Rouget report.

French government to 'go all out' on vaccinations

France — Link

Prime minister Jean Castex also warned the country has up to two difficult months ahead as the English variant of Covid-19 spreads in France.

When French PM’s communications chief served Saudi interests

France — Investigation

Mayada Boulos, communications advisor to French Prime Minister Jean Castex, was in charge of a PR campaign to promote Saudi Arabian interests during her previous job with advertising and public relations group Havas. The campaign was on behalf of a foundation created and chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom who a US intelligence report released last week said had approved the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Antton Rouget reports.

Paris mayor puts President Macron on spot over refusal to order new lockdown

France — Analysis

The city authorities in Paris, led by mayor Anne Hidalgo, have suggested that the French capital and surrounding region be put under a new lockdown to tackle the worsening Covid-19 virus situation there. This has piled pressure on President Emmanuel Macron who has been described by some as the country's “epidemiologist-in-chief” and who has so far resisted growing calls for a lockdown not just in the capital but across France. As Ellen Salvi reports, the Paris authorities are effectively asking a question that the head of state's supporters are refusing to countenance: what if the French president has got it wrong?

UK variant accounts for 'about half' of France's Covid cases, PM says

France — Link

Jean Castex also said the spread of the virus was worrying in 20 French departments – the country's administrative regions – including Paris and the areas surrounding the capital.

France could impose more regional lockdowns in worst Covid areas

France — Link

PM Jean Castex said a new nationwide lockdown was not on the agenda, but said French citizens needed to be in a state of heightened alert to make sure they contain the spread of the virus while vaccines are rolled out.