French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a successor to the post as part of a wider government reshuffle, two weeks after the resignation of French interior minister Gerard Collomb.
“Collomb’s successor will be the leader of La Republique en Marche (LREM), Christophe Castaner,’’ the Elysee Palace announced on Tuesday.
Macron and French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had taken an unusually long time to announce the reshuffle, which drew criticism from the opposition, who recently called the delays a “tragicomedy.’’
The cabinet’s new culture minister is Franck Riester, the new minister for agriculture is Didier Guillaume and Jacqueline Gourault was named the new minister of territorial cohesion.
The reshuffle comes as Macron seeks to regain momentum in the face of poor polling figures after a difficult summer.
Collomb’s departure on Oct. 2 added to an impression of disarray after popular environment minister Nicolas Hulot resigned live on air in August.
The president’s summer had already been spoiled by a scandal over an alleged assault on protesters by a presidential security aide.
dpa/NAN
Tag: emmanuel macron
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Macron announces cabinet reshuffle in bid to regain momentum
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French parliament approves ban on phones in schools
The French parliament has approved a far-reaching ban on mobile phones in schools, radio broadcaster Franceinfo reported on Monday following the result of the vote in the National Assembly.
The law fundamentally bans the use of mobile phones in all preschools and primary schools, as well as middle school.
The move had been a campaign demand by centrist President Emmanuel Macron.
French students are already not allowed to use their mobile phones during class, and each school can decide individually to implement rules that go even further.
With the new law, that position will be reversed: The use of mobile phones is generally banned in the entire school, with each one deciding to make exceptions to that rule.
Senators and national assembly deputies reached the agreement late Wednesday on the ban for all three tiers of French education (primary, middle and high school), except for educational purposes.
Teachers have been calling for the ban to curtail a growing distraction in classrooms, with nearly nine out of ten French teens aged 12 to 17 now owning a smartphone.
Besides cutting down on screen time, the bill also aims to protect children from dangerous online content such as violence or pornography, as well as cyberbullying.
Each school will decide how to apply the ban, for example by making students hand them over when entering school premises or requiring them to keep them turned off in their backpacks.
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Macron fires bodyguard filmed beating protester; opponents say too late
President Emmanuel Macron fired the head of his personal security detail on Friday but faced criticism for failing to act sooner, after video was released showing the bodyguard posing as a police officer and beating a protester while off duty in May.
Alexandre Benalla was initially given just a 15-day suspension for the incident, which occurred when he attended May Day protests in a riot helmet and police identification tags.
Judicial sources told Reuters the bodyguard, who just days ago was seen in public helping to organize security for celebrations for the return of France’s World Cup champion soccer team, was now being held by police.
Lawmakers have launched a parliamentary inquiry into the incident, Benalla’s lenient initial punishment and the failure of the authorities to report him promptly to the judiciary.
In the footage, which was released on Wednesday by Le Monde newspaper, Benalla can be seen dragging a woman away from a protest and later beating a male demonstrator.
On Friday, French media released a second video which showed Benalla also manhandling the woman.
The president’s office brushed off accusations that it had responded only because the nearly three-month-old videos had become public.
It said the decision had now been taken to fire Benalla because the bodyguard had improperly obtained a document while trying to make his case over the accusations.
“New facts that could constitute a misdemeanor by Alexandre Benalla were brought to the president’s attention,” an official at the presidential palace told Reuters.
“As a result … the presidency has decided to start Alexandre Benalla’s dismissal process.
But critics of Macron called the president’s delayed response to the incident another sign that he was out of touch.
It follows controversies over government spending on official crockery, a swimming pool at a presidential retreat and cutting remarks by the president about the costs of welfare.
Opposition parties condemned the presidency’s handling of the matter, demanding answers as to why the incident had not been referred promptly to judicial authorities.
After hours of debate in the lower house on Thursday, lawmakers agreed to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the case.
Several French media outlets reported that Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, who on Thursday asked for an internal police investigation into the incident, was aware of the video on May 2, the day after it was filmed.
Judicial sources said Benalla was now in police custody, being questioned both over the incident itself and for acquiring police footage of the incident on Thursday.
After the 15-day suspension, Benalla was brought back into the president’s immediate entourage. He appears in many photos alongside Macron during public events and private trips, including a skiing holiday in December.
“This is an extremely bad phase for the president and I am not sure that reacting late will change the situation,” Jean-Daniel Levy, a political analyst for Harris pollsters told Reuters.
“It reinforces the image of a rather authoritarian person who sometimes shows arrogance.”
Reuters/NAN
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President Macron’s aide put on 2 weeks compulsory leave
An aide to President Emmanuel Macron was put on two weeks compulsory leave after he was seen hitting a street protester in demonstrations in Paris in May, the French president’s spokesman said on Thursday, a decision deemed too soft by opposition leaders.
Labour unions hold demonstrations every year on May Day in France, which often lead to police intervention.
A video, shared on social media, showed a man wearing a police helmet hitting a demonstrator with other policemen.
He was later recognised as a member of the French presidency staff.
“The collaborator, Alexandre Benalla, had been given permission to witness the demonstrations only as an observer,” Bruno Roger-Petit said in a filmed statement.
“Clearly, he went beyond this … he was immediately summoned by the president’s chief of staff and given a 15-day suspension. This comes as a punishment for unacceptable behavior,” he said.
A judiciary source told Reuters the Paris prosecutor had launched an investigation into the matter on Thursday after being made aware of the incident.
Several opposition leaders voiced criticism over Benalla’s punishment, arguing it was too lenient.
“This video is shocking. Today, we have the feeling that in Macron’s entourage, one is above the law. It is obvious that Macron has to speak up about this,” Laurent Wauquiez, president of conservative opposition party Les Republicains told Europe 1 radio.
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Fela Kuti’s memories flood Twitter following French president’s visit to New Afrika Shrine
Some Nigerians have taken to twitter to share fond memories of Afrobeat legend, late Fela Anikulapo, Kuti following the historic visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the New Afrika Shrine.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the excited fans, who shared notes on Fela’s musical prowess, appreciated his relevance and international repute, even after death.
Fela was a legendary multi-instrumentalist, musician, and composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, human rights activist and political maverick.
Fans analysed the importance of Fela’s sound and the honour of Macron’s visit as the French president becomes the first ‘real president’ to enter the Afrika Shrine.
@I am realjayson tweeted, “If President Emmanuel Macron could visit the Afrika Shrine in Lagos to #CelebrateAfricanCulture, then truly, we are yet to really understand and appreciate the value of Fela! What have we done with Fela? Fela is enough tourism.”
@69entertainmentbrand said, “Fela Anikulapo Kuti is truly a Legend!!! for President Emmanuel Macron to visit African Shrine in Lagos to celebrate African Culture.”
@Etyn_oba wrote, “The only international music I hear repeatedly even on ferries in Singapore is Fela Kuti. He’s known and celebrated outside Nigeria.”
@Mayowaadekanye tweeted, “The idea of Fela goes beyond music. The man preached mental independence and stood against neo- colonialism in Africa with everything he had. Music was just one of his tools.”
@Sammiejexie said, “Even in death Baba Fela lives… Truly he has death in his pouch… Anikulapo #CelebrateAfricanCulture.”
Fela, a son of a cleric, Rev. Isreal Ransome-Kuti and Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti, a human rights activist was born on October 15, 1938 and died on August 2, 1997 in Lagos.(NAN)
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Organise yourselves, fix your problems! Macron blasts African leaders
French President, Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday, at a press conference after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, challenged African leaders to study their continent’s problems and fix it once and for all rather than depending on foreign nations to do it for them.
He noted specifically that France would not be the one to completely fix African problems.
He said, “I think the main plan is an African plan and France is not the one to solve or fix African situations.
“So, what we want to do is that we will intervene and make our presence in Africa and Sahel to fight against terrorism especially in Mali and in the region.
“We will stay as long as it is requested by our friends, especially Mali. We discussed yesterday (Monday) about this issue.
“But what is important to me is how the different African governments organise themselves to fight against terrorism and get rid of these people and especially Jihadism. That’s why I do promote the G5/Sahel Initiatives and I think as far as we are organised, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon is very important.”
Macron said it was important for countries to increase the pressure against Jihadists.
“We can fix the situation in the coming month and obviously France will remain present in Mali for as long as they want it.
“But when I look at the past months, we have increased our resource and delivered concrete results in the north and west Mali with positive outcomes,” he added.
Meanwhile, Buhari and Macron witnessed the signing of a letter of intent for the financing of the urban mobility improvement programme initiated by the Lagos State Government.
The signing took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
The letter of intent of the equivalent of $200m is related to a potential loan by the French Development Agency to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
It was signed by the AFD’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Remy Rioux, and the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.
The project seeks to develop eight priority bus corridors connected to the mass transit network (urban train and high-level service bus with a total length of 41 kilometres).
It will also create two multimodal interchange hubs and functional integration of four public transport modes- urban train, high-level bus service, water transport lines and bus lines, planning and management capabilities of the transportation system.
The project which follows the successful urban development of the second Lagos BRT project, already funded by AFD, is aimed at contributing to Lagos sustainable urban development through the deployment of a public transport network combining quality service, efficiency, accessibility, reliability, safety, reduction of polluting emissions and socio-economic and financial sustainability.
It also aimed at giving 1,500,000 inhabitants access to quality transportation
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a credit of facility agreement of $75m in order to improve water supply in Kano city.
This concessional loan was awarded by AFD to the Federal Government to allow Kano State to develop an effective and sustainable water supply service.
The project mainly comprises the rehabilitation and densification of the network, rehabilitation of the main water production facilities and supporting consumer awareness campaign.
Macron also justified his decision to visit the Afrika Shrine in Lagos during his visit to Nigeria.
“First, because I wanted to find a good occasion to come back there. I know the place and I have some memories, I have to confess at a time that there was no President around; I hope I will not spoil the party.
“I think that is such an iconic place for a lot of African people and African culture. And I think very often when you speak of the African culture in Europe, those who succeed in Europe and in France, which is different most of the times, are not dramatically very famous in Nigeria or in Africa.”
“There is a bias because you know people are absolutely not the same. I mean Fela, Femi, Seun Kuti are obviously very famous in France and Europe, I mean they are big successes but the Shrine is a cultural hub, an iconic hub and is very important for me first on a personal level, and that is why I want to say with a lot of humility that I recognise the importance of this place; I recognise the place of culture in this current environment,” he said.
Buhari said the issues of security and economic integration came up during his discussion with Macron.
He thanked the French President for his commitment and understanding as it concerns Nigeria and the region.
He said it was a good idea that Macron would be visiting the Africa Shrine in Lagos.
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Buhari holds talks with French leader, Macron today
President Muhammadu Buhari, who returned to Abuja last night from AU Summit in Mauritania, is billed to hold bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron of France at presidential villa, Abuja, today at 4.00p.m.
The French leader would discuss issues bordering on security and terrorism with President Buhari.
Macron had on Monday in Nouakchott during the closing ceremony of the AU Summit met with the Nigerian leader.
Macron will after his engagement with Buhari visit the Afrika Shrine, a nightclub in Lagos founded by Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Social commentators believed that Macron would become the first “real president” to enter the club synonymous with marijuana smoke, sexy backup dancers and protest music.
`And he is not a stranger to Nigeria. He trained as a senior civil servant at the French Embassy in Lagos in 2004, seven years after Fela died.
Buhari on Monday night returned to Abuja after attending the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Nouakchott.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Bello, Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari and some government functionaries welcomed the President at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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Emmanuel Macron visits Lagos; state announces traffic diversion
Ahead of the historic visit of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron to Lagos, the State Government on Sunday announced that there would be traffic diversion and restricted movement.
TheNewsGuru reports that the traffic diversion and restricted movement will hold from 12 noon to 12 midnight on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 around the Alausa, African Shrine/Agidingbi axis.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Salaam in a statement appealed for the understanding of residents, urging motorists to make use of alternative routes provided.
“While we regret the inconvenience that this might cause the public, especially those who live and work in the area, we appeal that you kindly bear with us during this period and make use of the alternative routes provided,”, Salaam said.
Macron is expected to be hosted by the State Government at the African Shrine on Tuesday.
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Anti-Macron protests to be held in Paris
Critics of French President Emmanuel Macron and his politics plan to hold demonstrations on Saturday in Paris, including a protest picnic and a march through the city centre, ahead of the first anniversary of Macron’s election.
Several thousand people have already indicated on the protest action’s Facebook page that they intend to attend the demos, which are scheduled to get under way at noon (1000 GMT).
Following riots by a hard-left group on the sidelines of the traditional May Day marches by trades unions in Paris earlier in the week, police have said they have beefed up security, with 2,000 officers to be deployed on Saturday.
Macron’s critics say his economic and social reforms favour corporations and the wealthier in society. The organizers have ironically named their demonstration “Celebration of Macron and his World.”
The government has criticized the demonstration against the backdrop of the May Day riots, but leftist politician Jean-Luc Melenchon countered that Macron “can’t stand any opposition.”
It was a member of Melenchon’s La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party that initiated Saturday’s demonstrations.
Monday marks a year since Macron was elected president.
dpa
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French president calls for European funding for towns hosting refugees
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called for a European programme to fund local authorities that house and integrate refugees.
In a speech to the European Parliament, Macron lauded European integration as the only way to regain sovereignty faced with global challenges such as migration, climate change, the growing digital economy, and the growth of authoritarian powers.
“In this world and in this difficult moment, European democracy is, I profoundly believe, our best chance,’’ Macron told European deputies.
Macron argued that the European Parliament should make progress on migration issues, digital taxation and reform of the euro zone before the end of its current term in 2019.
He said it should “unblock the poisoned debate” on relocation of refugees from states with high numbers of refugees to those less affected by migration movements.
“As well as on the EU’s controversial Dublin regulations which say that the state where an asylum seeker first arrived is responsible for dealing with their asylum request.
“But the parliament should also “go beyond this debate, by building the internal and external solidarity that our Europe needs.
“I therefore propose to create a European programme that gives direct financial assistance to local authorities who host and integrate refugees,’’ he stressed.
Macron argued that the parliament should also approve an interim proposal for tax on major digital firms to put an end to the most shocking excesses.
“And by 2019, a roadmap should be put in place for reform of the euro zone, including a budgetary capacity favouring stability and convergence,’’ he added.