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France’s new government unveiled, ex-defense chief Le Drian named as foreign minister

PARIS, May 17. /TASS/. France’s new government headed by Edouard Philippe, who became prime minister on Monday, was unveiled on Wednesday when Alexis Kohler, secretary general of the Elysee Palace, announced its composition.

The cabinet comprises 22 officials (18 ministers and four Secretaries of State) and splits equally between women and men. Three of them have an honorary rank of Ministers of State.

Mayor of France’s second-largest city Lyon Gerard Collomb, the most influential politician in the Socialist party, was appointed Interior Minister. Nicolas Hulot, the country’s best-known environmentalist, became ecological transition minister. Leader of his own Democratic Movement Francois Bayrou was named as justice minister.

Socialist Jean-Yves Le Drian, who was French defense minister under former President Francois Hollande in 2012-2017, was named as foreign minister.

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