French President Emmanuel Macron will appoint his former health minister Olivier Veran for a new spokesman for his government, announced today the French television BFM, before the wider reconstruction of the government that is expected during the day.

Veran is known as a technocrat who, as a key minister during the Covid-19 pandemic, led the country through much of the health crisis.
Francois Braun, a doctor with experience in emergency services, will be appointed as the Minister of Health, while Christophe Besch, the current Minister of Relations with Local Authorities, will receive the portfolio of the environment, BFM television reported.

Former Minister of European Affairs Clément Bonn is to become the new Minister of Transport.

According to French media, the reshuffle became necessary for Macron after some ministers were defeated in elections for the Lower House of Parliament last month, forcing them to step down, in line with French political tradition.

Incumbent government spokeswoman Olivia Grégoire won the race for a parliamentary seat in an affluent Paris district, while French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told France Inter radio he would stay in his current position.