France named dynamic former junior minister Fleur Pellerin to its top foreign trade post on Wednesday as it continues efforts to cut its huge trade deficit. Pellerin, the 40-year-old formerly responsible for the digital economy and innovation, was named state secretary for foreign trade, tourism and French citizens abroad in a new government whose ministers were named last week.
New Prime Minister Manuel Valls took charge of the cabinet after a reshuffle prompted by the ruling Socialists' dismal showing in local elections. President Francois Hollande's government has become deeply unpopular as it struggles to revive France's stagnant economy and stem rising unemployment.
Pellerin was widely praised for her work on the digital economy, with many in the industry campaigning for her to keep her former post and lamenting her departure. Franco-Canadian lawmaker Axelle Lemaire, 39, takes over the digital economy portfolio. Born in Korea and adopted by French parents at the age of six months, Pellerin has also become something of a celebrity in parts of Asia. The Valls government named 14 new state secretaries on Wednesday as part of the reshuffle. Among the others named was former Socialist Party chief Harlem Desir, who takes over European affairs.