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French PM Élisabeth Borne resigns ahead of expected reshuffle

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France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne is resigning after less than two years in office, with President Emmanuel Macron gearing up for a significant reshuffling of his top team ahead of European elections later this year. Borne, the second female prime minister in France and the longest-serving in her role, will continue until a successor is named, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.

President Macron acknowledged Borne’s contributions, stating she displayed “courage, commitment, and determination” during her time in office. Macron’s government has been under pressure due to protests over controversial policies and legislative setbacks, including a significant defeat on immigration legislation in December. The reshuffling is seen as an effort to revive political momentum and address challenges faced by the administration.

Several key figures are speculated to replace Borne, with the 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal considered the frontrunner. If selected, Attal would become France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. Other potential candidates include 37-year-old Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie.

The announcement of a new prime minister is expected on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace. The chosen candidate will face the daunting task of managing the day-to-day affairs of the government and leading the Council of Ministers. Macron’s party lost its parliamentary majority in 2022, making it challenging for the incoming prime minister to navigate the political landscape and turn the president’s policies into law. The upcoming appointment will mark the fourth prime minister since Macron’s initial election in 2017.

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Emmanuel Macron’s government in crisis after migration bill defeat

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The French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, is facing a crisis as opposition parties, spanning the political spectrum from far-right to far-left and moderate factions, joined forces to defeat a crucial immigration bill. The rejection occurred on Monday, with critics arguing that the proposed law was either too repressive (according to the left) or not stringent enough (according to the right).

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, known for his tough stance on immigration, offered to resign following the defeat, but President Macron declined his resignation. The government had asserted that the bill aimed to control immigration while enhancing the integration of migrants. The proposed legislation sought to streamline the deportation process for migrants sentenced to prison terms of five years or longer and impose stricter conditions on family reunification in France.

Despite Interior Minister Darmanin’s efforts to garner support for the bill, opposition MPs from various factions, including the National Rally (far-right), France Unbowed (far-left), Republicans (right-wing), and smaller parties, voted against it, leading to a 270-265 defeat for the government.

Before the vote, MP Arthur Delaporte of the Socialist party denounced the bill as “unjust, scandalous, and a threat to freedom.” President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party had lost its parliamentary majority in the June 2022 elections, making it challenging for the government to secure votes in parliament.

In response to the defeat, the government announced its intention to redraft the bill. Notably, the option used by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to pass laws without a vote cannot be employed to advance this revised version.

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Fire in Vacation Residence in France Leaves Eleven Feared Dead

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A fire erupted at a vacation residence in La Forge, France, where individuals with learning disabilities were staying, resulting in the disappearance of eleven people. The blaze was reported to emergency services at 06:30 local time on Wednesday and was met with a response from nearly 80 firefighters.

Regrettably, the 11 missing individuals are now presumed to have lost their lives, as stated by a local official to AFP news agency. The property was utilized by a charity dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities. While 17 occupants were evacuated and one person was hospitalized, the cause of the fire remains unclear.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin affirmed an ongoing rescue operation, acknowledging the likelihood of multiple casualties in the town near Wintzenheim, close to the German border. The group of 11 missing people originated from Nancy, in eastern France, according to the Haut-Rhin region’s local government. Despite the fire’s intensity, it was successfully controlled by 76 firefighters and four fire engines.

The Bas-Rhin prefecture’s leader, Christophe Marot, revealed that those inside the building during the fire’s outbreak have not yet been located. The incident led French President Emmanuel Macron to express his condolences and appreciation for the emergency services. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and families minister Aurore Bergé are en route to the scene.

Visuals from local media depict the holiday home, a converted barn, engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to subdue the fire after approximately two-thirds of the building was consumed by the blaze.

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