French President Nicolas Sarkozy reappointed trusted ally Francois Fillon as prime minister on Sunday ahead of a ministerial reshuffle aimed at shoring up his position 18 months before a presidential election.
Fillon, who has proved a steady and capable aide to Sarkozy since he took power in 2007, said he would focus on jobs and the economy. Economy Minister Christine Lagarde and Budget Minister Francois Baroin were among those who would keep their jobs, while former prime minister Alain Juppe would join the government as defence minister, BFM TV reported.
Bernard Kouchner will be replaced as foreign minister by Michele Alliot-Marie, who was justice minister in the last cabinet. Labour Minister Eric Woerth, linked to a political funding scandal, was expected to be dropped, BFM TV said.
The new cabinet, due to be officially unveiled at the Elysee palace at 1915 GMT, is expected to put proven heavyweights of the ruling centre-right UMP party in charge of the key ministries but not result in major policy shifts.
Sarkozy said in June he would rejig his cabinet after passing a flagship pension reform, which was signed into law last week. The reshuffle comes as he seeks to shore up his core support base, address voter gloom over the economy and improve his dismal ratings before the 2012 election.
Fillon, deep in talks with Sarkozy on Sunday at the Elysee presidential palace, said in a statement he was starting "a new phase with determination which will allow our country to strengthen the growth of the economy to help jobs, promote solidarity and safeguard the security of all French people."
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