FRENCH ELECTION UPDATE : Appointment of Fillon to Matignon in no doubt

The reason why Nicolas Sarkozy refrained from raising the subject at any time in his election campaign, or even to give the slightest sign that could be interpreted in one way or another, is because in his mind the question was already decided. Initially, the candidate had envisaged announcing the name of his prime minister and principal ministers with whom he planned to govern before taking up office at the Elysee. But under pressure from Claude Gueant and his friends, he gave up the idea. "That could have created tension and demotivated some," explained one member of the team.

So Nicolas Sarkozy kept quiet. He let people speculate. Allowed the "little political games" he knows so well to continue. He himself entered the "race" for Matignon in 2002 and "lost." So the former interior minister remained silent about the contest for the job of prime minister. In fact there never was any contest.

A favourite from the start of the campaign, Francois Fillon comes out of it strengthened and "not very concerned" about what comes next, he says. Present every day at the party headquarters on the rue d'Enghien, the political adviser to the UMP [Union for a Popular Movement] candidate made no or virtually no mistakes. His collaboration with Claude Gueant went well. These two quite calm individuals got on well. For a while also cited as a possible prime minister, it was Claude Gueant himself who cut short the rumours. Speaking on 18 April on the PublicSenat TV station, the former deputy spoke himself of his appointment to the post of secretary general at the Elysee. He will not of course be denied this now.

Among the majority ranks, there is no doubt that Francois Fillon will be appointed prime minister. Brice Hortefeux already refers to him as "Mr prime minister." "Francois Fillon found the right way of working with Nicolas," said the minister for territorial authorities and friend of the elected president for the past 30 years. Fillon himself jokes about the attention he is receiving from the deputies. "It is true that I have been pouring a lot of coffee recently," he smiles.

It was two years ago that Sarkozy and Fillon decided to prepare jointly the presidential campaign and legislative programme of which he is the principal architect. Having broken with Jacques Chirac after his brutal eviction from the government in 2005, the senator from Sarthe waged a two-year battle against the Chirac camp to become the genuine number two in the UMP.

With Sarkozy's win and validation of his campaign strategy, his appointment to Matignon seems almost natural given his familiarity with the programme and intentions of the future head of state. This will mean that the new governing tandem will be up and running particularly quickly. In Fillon's mind in any event there seems to be no doubt about this.

The statements by Michele Alliot-Marie on France Info before the weekend, who seemed to see herself at Matignon, have failed to impress. But Sarkozy was nevertheless careful not to offend the defence minister before being elected. She attended all the weekend working sessions (Baux-de-Provence, Porto-Vecchio) and the candidate's major meetings. But as to appointing her to such a post.... Her chances seem very slim, almost zero.

As do those of Jean Louis Borloo, the very popular social cohesion minister. In the background over recent weeks, he laid his terms for rallying to Sarkozy. But he says the latter refused to negotiate anything at all. But aware of the weight of this ally in the face of growing support for Francois Bayrou, Nicolas Sarkozy nevertheless made sure to get the most from the Barloo "card." He made two trips with him to his Valenciennes constituency. The hypothesis of Xavier Bertrand, at one point put forward by Jean-Pierre Raffarin, also has little chance of amounting to anything. The fact is it has all been decided fro some time already. Because Sarkozy, who detests being unprepared, has already got it all worked out.

Elected to the National Assembly in 1981, the former first lieutenant to Philippe Seguin, number three in the Raffarin government, and "father" of the pensions reform, Francois Fillon is thus set to become, at the age of 53, the 19th prime minister of the Fifth Republic.

Another article from Le Figaro.

Keep in mind this article is a translation of the French, and they write in a different style from ours.

The names of the Ministries are often called by their location, thus “Matignon”, is the rwsidence of the OM, “Quai d’Orsay” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , “Bercy, Ministry of Finance, etc.”

The new government will be limited to 15 members

Report by Claire Bommelaer

So now we are set for nine days of rumour and expectation.

Throughout his campaign, the president elect remained totally silent about his intentions. The only certainty is that the government will be limited to 15 ministers, with near parity between men and women. Junior ministers will not be appointed until after the legislative elections (10 and 17 June).

Michele Alliot-Marie, who dreamed of being prime minister, seems set to swap defence for another coveted post: the Foreign Ministry. That is if it does not go to Alain Juppe. But it seems that the former prime minister is more tempted by the presidency of the National Assembly.

With Alliot-Marie at the Quai d’Orsay, Michel Barnier could replace her at the Defence Ministry. The name of Philippe Douste-Blazy is also being cited for this job.

The Interior Ministry seems to have been promised for some time to Brice Hortefeux. But some believe that Sarkozy would prefer to give him the reigns of the UMP [Union for a Popular Movement]. In which case, Alliot-Marie could have a chance for the Interior Ministry herself.

Among members of the Villepin team, it seems certain that Jean-Louis Borloo will remain in the government. Either as new minister for economic strategy and employment (covering part of Bercy [Finance Ministry] and part of the Rue de Grenelle [Ministry for Social Cohesion and Equality]). Or at the Education Ministry, expanded to include the culture and communication sectors.

Another candidate for this major economy and employment portfolio is Xavier Bertrand, Sarkozy’s spokesman during the election campaign and guaranteed promotion to government. His name is sometimes cited for the Interior Ministry.

Separated from economic affairs, the Public Accounts Ministry could go to Jean-Francois Cope, currently budget minister, to former BNP boss Michel Pebereau, or to Christine Lagarde. But the present foreign trade minister could move to agriculture in an appointment designed to facilitate WTO negotiations.

Former Minister Gerard Longuet, AREVA President Anne Lauvergeon (also cited for Bercy together with Xavier Bertrand), or Christian Blanc of the UDF [Union for a French Democracy] could take over at the Ministry for Enterprises and Commerce.

Others have their eyes on education and culture, starting with Xavier Darcos, former School Education Minister, or the UDP mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux, Andre Santini.

By the terms of the charter drawn up by Nicolas Hulot and signed by Sarkozy, a large Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development, Energy and Transport will be created. Alain Juppe is often cited for this portfolio, given his familiarity with the subject matter. As is Michel Barnier who is already environment minister.

Arno Klarsfeld Cited for Immigration

Patrick Devedjian has long been interested in the Justice Ministry. But if Sarkozy keeps him for the presidency of the general council of Hauts-de-Seine, place Vendome could go to the UDF mayor of Rouen, Pierre Albertini, or to Rachida Dati. But the name of the campaign spokesman, the “rising star” in the Sarkozy galaxy, is also cited for the future Ministry of Immigration and National Identity. As is the lawyer Arno Klarsfeld.

The combined Ministry of Health and Sports could go to Valerie Pecresse, present UMP spokesperson.

The Ministry for Parliamentary Relations and Institutional Reform could go to Alain Marleix, UMP election manager, or to Christian Estrosi, present town planning minister and a long-standing champion of Nicolas Sarkozy. Unless the deputy for Alpes-Maritimes takes over the UMP presidency in the National Assembly. Finally, Phlippe Seguin could return to government in a post that remains to be decided.

Deputies, whether at the French or European Parliament, such as Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Laurent Wauquiez, Christine Boutin, Alain Lamassoure, Herve Novelli, and Laurent Henart could be appointed junior ministers. So could Rama Yade, national secretary of the UMP responsible for Francophony.

As Nicolas Sarkozy announced that he would “open up very broadly,” the arrival of figures from the left is also cited as a possibility, such as Eric Beson who rallied to Sarkozy after the first round.

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FRANCOIS FILLON, MOST LIKELY PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE