On Tuesday March 28, 2023, the inter-union asked the executive to set up mediation on the pension reform to find “a way out”. The executive immediately refused through government spokesman Olivier Véran: “We don’t need mediation to talk to us.”

Elisabeth Borne then agreed to receive the social partners at the beginning of next week. But the subject of pensions could not be addressed. Now, there are few ways out of this crisis situation. Would a cabinet reshuffle be the best solution?

On Monday March 20, Elisabeth Borne had already come close to censorship with a motion passed by 278 votes. If the pension reform could be adopted, the failed motion of censure remains in everyone’s mind. Some of the deputies had chanted in the Hemicycle: “Resign! Resign!” Is it time for Elisabeth Borne to step down as Prime Minister?

Emmanuel Macron has opposed, for the time being, a reshuffle. However, for several days, the hypothesis has resurfaced at the Élysée. At the microphone of franceinfo, a Renaissance deputy declared: “Many consider that the current situation has put Elisabeth Borne in an impasse”.

For Guillaume Daret, journalist for franceinfo, “its future is dotted because many are betting on a reshuffle. However, a reshuffle without changing the Prime Minister is almost like doing nothing.” A change of Prime Minister would send a strong signal, both to the streets and to the unions and opposition parties.

The reshuffle could appease the political and social climate while enlarging the majority so hoped for by Renaissance. Indeed, a new government would be an opportunity to forge partnerships with the Les Républicains group. Who could play this intermediary role?

According to the Midi Libre, some names are already circulating as to the succession of Elisabeth Borne. Although these hypotheses are improbable, François Baroin or Xavier Bertrand are quoted. Another figure would also stand out behind the scenes of the majority: Catherine Vautrin. The president himself would have declared, according to Le Point, to his entourage: “You did not want Catherine Vautrin, you sold me Elisabeth Borne as the rare pearl, and here is where we are!”

However, the unpopularity of Elisabeth Borne would not displease the president either. Follower of a very vertical way of governing according to Public Senate, Emmanuel Macron fears the comparison with a Prime Minister with too strong a personality. During the time of the Edouard Philippe government, the president was already faced with a loss of popularity to the benefit of his Prime Minister. For this reason, Elisabeth Borne could be reinforced at Matignon. So how do you ease political and social tensions? Could a cabinet reshuffle be enough?

According to Public Senate, Emmanuel Macron should keep Elisabeth Borne in office, at least until the European elections, to reserve the possibility of changing Prime Minister at this time. A reshuffle, on the other hand, is not excluded in the days to come. A Macronist senator told Public Senate: “We will have to beef up the government. We need political figures who really embody their ministry.”

For her part, a Renaissance acène deputy: “We have a fairly weak government. Apart from Darmanin, Le Maire, Attal, Dussopt, Veran, we only have ministers who do not exist. It is no longer them who weaken the Prime Minister, because nothing is happening on the subjects we are talking about.” A ministerial reshuffle would also allow the Head of State to make a gesture towards Les Républicains and thus consolidate his fragile legislative majority. The name of the LR deputy from the Rhône, Alexandre Vincendet, comes up often.

But, for the time being, the Élysée is primarily relying on a new method of governance, according to La Dépêche. Emmanuel Macron asked executives of the majority to reflect on this subject. In addition, a new parliamentary calendar could be announced.

The Élysée also wants to bring new topics of debate to the table in order to make people forget the pension reform. “The idea is to launch thematic meetings around ministers and parliamentarians specialized in the priority themes identified by the President – ​​school, health, ecology, reindustrialisation, republican order”, reports La Dépêche.