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Conservative Government Takes Over in France

16 November 2010 02:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. French President Nicolas Sarkozyâ€™s new staunchly conservative government began work Monday, cleared of political centrists and left-wing converts known for their more liberal leanings, APA reports quoting â€œThe Voice of Americaâ€.

The newly reshuffled government is seen as boosting Mr. Sarkozyâ€™s drooping popularity ahead of presidential elections in 2012.

The countryâ€™s popular prime minister, Francois Fillon, retained his position after Sundayâ€™s shake-up, as did Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux.

But socialist former Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was shown the door, along with center-right Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo.

Conservative Michele Alliot-Marie replaces Kouchner. Right-wing former prime minister Alain Juppe takes over defense from Herve Morin, a centrist.

Mr. Sarkozy in recent months has swung sharply to the right on immigration and labor issues. He defeated a major protest led by union leaders over pension reforms.

The government resigned late Saturday in a procedural move to allow Mr. Sarkozy to reshuffle the Cabinet.