François-Noël Buffet has been appointed as Minister Delegated to the Interior under the new government of Prime Minister François Bayrou, marking his transition from the role of Minister of Overseas Territories. This change follows the recent reshuffle prompted by the censure of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
On Monday evening, December 23, the Secretary-General of the Élysée Palace, Alexis Kohler, formally introduced the members of the new government. Of the former cabinet, only Buffet, representing Lyon, has retained his position but with revised responsibilities. His previous role was filled by the former Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
While Buffet expressed his comfort with his new position, the reshuffle saw the exit of Alexandre Portier, the now former Minister Delegated to Educational Success, who stirred controversy during discussions on sex education. Despite his departure from the ministerial cabinet, he will maintain his status as the deputy for Beaujolais.
The reshuffle also signals the conclusion of Nicolas Daragon's tenure as Minister Delegated for Everyday Security, leading to the premature end of Pierre Oliver's (LR) time within the ministerial cabinet.
Reflecting on his new responsibilities, Buffet commented on his previous three months working closely with communities overseas, especially during crises in regions like New Caledonia, Martinique, and Mayotte, saying, "I had wonderful experiences and want to thank everyone I worked with. The urgency, particularly concerning Mayotte, now falls under the Ministry of the Interior." He emphasized the need to cooperate closely with his new boss, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Reiterated concerns about balancing duties between his and Retailleau's roles, Buffet stated, "I’m not just the delegated minister; we have to organize and share the work fairly. The Ministry of the Interior is a key department, and I recognize its significance." Known for his expertise on immigration as the former president of the law commission at the Senate, Buffet acknowledged the necessity of addressing unresolved issues, including institutional reforms and budget reconstruction after the tumultuous period under Barnier.
Buffet’s appointment fits within the broader governmental strategy to reinvigorate the ministry following the censure, which he attributes partly to opportunism rather than substantive disagreement. He concluded, "We are faced with new challenges. The urgency now is to reconstruct France's budget, especially with the government now streamlined with experienced members. We have to work hard to earn trust back."
This cabinet restructuring not only features Buffet's ascent but also sees other notable appointments. Gérald Darmanin has moved to the Justice Ministry, with Éric Lombard stepping up as Minister of Economy and Finance. Bruno Retailleau retains his position as Interior Minister, alongside Sébastien Lecornu at the Ministry of Armed Forces, and Rachida Dati, who continues to oversee cultural affairs.
The governmental reshuffle is seen as both an opportunity to implement reforms and as a response to public and political pressures. The forthcoming first cabinet meeting scheduled for January 3 aims to clarify the direction for the new administration and address pressing concerns raised during Barnier's short-lived tenure.
Political analysts are watching closely how this cabinet will navigate through its agenda, especially the handling of the immigration issues Buffet is expected to manage, and the poignant need for budgetary stability within the country. The coming weeks will be telling as the new leaders work to establish their authority and credibility after the considerable upheaval of the past few months.
