French interim government takes office

Frantic shuttling between the Elysees Palace (Presidency) and the Matignon (Government headquarters) has seen the new French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin form his interim government.

Jacques Chirac wasted no time. One hour after Lionel Jospin formerly presented his resignation as the Prime Minister of France, he had indicated M. Raffarin as his successor.

The heavyweights in M. Saffarin’s team are the number two in the government, Nicolas Sarkozy, who leads the super-ministry of the interior, security and local freedom and the foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, a close friend of President Chirac.

However, the parliamentary elections of 17th June will choose definitively who will cohabit with President Chirac for the next five years.

Emilie ACQUITAINE PRAVDA.Ru PARIS FRANCE