Pacific / New Caledonia

Macron appoints new overseas minister

09:25 am on 21 May 2022

A new French overseas minister has been appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in the second stage of his government reshuffle

Yael Braun-Pivet has replaced Sebastien Lecornu who has been given the defence portfolio.

Ms Braun-Pivet had been the head of the National Assembly's law commission.

Her main challenges include negotiations with New Caledonian leaders in the aftermath of last December's controversial independence referendum.

While the anti-independence camp wants the territory's reintegration into France after its victory at the ballot box, the rival side refuses to accept the referendum result.

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In the reshuffle's first step on Monday, Mr Macron chose Elisabeth Borne as the new prime minister.

The foreign affairs portfolio has been given to Catherine Colonna who has been France's ambassador to Britain.