Jean Castex: The man for Macrons new way out of the crisis

France has since last Friday a new head of government, like its predecessor of the civil Rights. The 55-year-old Jean Castex has been nominated for the lunch time of the President and Emmanuel Macron in Paris. He is the successor of the 49-year-old Édouard Philippe, to the town hall of the Norman port city of Le Havre returns. With the change in personnel, the President linked the hope for a "new way" out of the crisis. "The new road will be turn not a 180-degree", a limited Macron in an Interview in the regional press, published on Friday. Castex, has just been elected as mayor of the Catalan small town of Prades in Occitania again, to embody a new relation to rural France. His government team he wants to introduce in a second step, expected to be the start of a week.

Michaela Wiegel

Political correspondent, based in Paris.

the profile of The new heads of government resembles amazingly the just-adopted: Both completed the elite administrative school Ena, have a member of staff the self-understanding of the high state, and have led a shadow existence in your party, Les Républicains (LR). Similar to Philippe, who was at the time of his nomination three years ago, is still largely unknown, Castex, many French have no concept of. This Castex has contributed significantly to the fact that after the chaotic first Phase of the Corona-crisis management in may, an orderly exit from the Lockdown succeeded. He was known as "Monsieur Déconfinement" of the President responsible for the easing, graduated measures, and in accordance with the local infection happen to have been consummated. His ability to coordinate the various actors at Central, regional and local level, and to overcome blockages, should have induced Macron to his personnel decision. One of the qualities that the President appreciates Castex, his modesty. In the jovial father of four daughters, Macron brings a man to the government, a role in the shadow of Power not bother. The spot light he seeks, he acts as a talent for organization to get behind-the-Scenes.

Had become Philippe's popularity for Macron dangerous?

The great popularity of Édouard Philippe's was held under the Macron faithful last as a political challenge for the President. The President of the national Assembly, Richard Ferrand, counted in a 22-page letter to Macron with Philippe's reform style, the "irritating" was. Ferrand was the General speed limit on country roads is 80 kilometers per hour, the reduction of the rent subsidy for the needy to five euros and the climate tax on fuel, the yellow West-had ignited protests. Philippe had chosen "the wrong method," said Ferrand, one of the most faithful comrade-in-arms Macrons.