French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on January 8, 2024 following the recent political turmoil on immigration. This was seen as an attempt by French President Emmanuel Macron to innovate in the executive by appointing a new prime minister.[i]
In his resignation letter, Borne claimed that he resigned due to Macron’s request to “appoint a new prime minister”. Borne’s resignation follows the passage of a controversial immigration law supported by Macron in December 2023. This law was arguably intended to strengthen the government’s ability to deport certain foreigners. At the same time, tough negotiations and heated parliamentary debates raised questions about the ability of Borne’s government to pass important future legislation.[ii]
Borne, 62, was appointed in May 2022 after Macron was re-elected for a second term. She also became France’s second female prime minister. On the evening of January 8, 2024, French media outlets reported that Education Minister Gabriel Attal would become the youngest prime minister in France’s modern history if appointed. Other names frequently mentioned include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie.[iii]
Under the French political system, the prime minister is appointed by the president and is responsible to the parliament. The prime minister is responsible for implementing domestic policy and coordinating the government’s team of ministers. The president has powers over foreign policy, European affairs and defense. He is also the commander of the country’s armed forces.[iv]
The controversial immigration law may have caused social backlash as the government sought to strengthen its ability to deport foreigners. Indeed, a hardening of immigration policies may lead to divergent views within society, which may affect the government’s popularity.
Relations with parliament, on the other hand, can influence the government’s policy agenda and determine its stability. The resignation of the prime minister usually occurs in situations where the government has failed or there is a political crisis. The Prime Minister is responsible for implementing the government’s domestic policies and coordinating the team of ministers.
The appointment of a new prime minister can be seen as an attempt to change the government’s policies or to convince public opinion. In the French political system, the appointment of the prime minister by the president can affect the balance of power. This can determine the effectiveness of the government and the policy implementation process. The balance between the prime minister’s areas of responsibility and the president’s areas of authority can have an impact on the policy-making process.
In conclusion, the resignation of the French Prime Minister and the efforts to appoint a new prime minister can be considered as an important period to understand the political dynamics in the country, public demands and the policy orientation of the government. Political developments on sensitive issues such as immigration policy may shape the country’s domestic and foreign policy strategies.
[i] “French Prime Minister Resigns Following Recent Political Turmoil over Immigration”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/france-politics-borne-resigns-macron-immigration-975e54234d83be393eda8150aaf8402c, (Access Date: 09.01.2023).
[ii] Ibıd.
[iii] Ibıd.
[iv] Ibıd.
