The fate of Michèle Alliot-Marie is sealed by the tenors of the majority, leaving the government should intervene Sunday in a reshuffle to the extent uncertain, prior to a statement broadcast by Nicolas Sarkozy on the international situation.
"For MMA, it's done. The President has taken its decision, she goes" Saturday assured a tenor of the majority, confirming information obtained yesterday by the AFP to two ministers.
According to several sources, the head of French diplomacy would be replaced by the Defence Minister, Alain Juppe.This will, in a minister to resign "Sunday Morning", just after his return in the night from a trip to Kuwait.
"The anonymous sources who claim to make decisions in place of Ms Alliot-Marie bind none but themselves," responded the entourage of the Minister to AFP.
When questioned, the Elysee declined to respond. But in late afternoon, Sarkozy, after meeting with three former hostages of the Sahel at the Elysee Palace, received at La Lanterne in Versailles, Prime Minister Francois Fillon. The interview lasted an hour and a half, according to Matignon.The secretary general of the Elysee, Claude Gueant, was also present.
While France has been strongly criticized in recent weeks for its diplomatic policy, Mr.Sarkozy will also attempt to regain control of the reserved area of the Head of State during a televised address Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on the international situation.
Regarding his team, the Head of State is considering various scenarios, according to several government sources.
Circumscribe the redesign to the replacement of MMA? Or take the opportunity to make more extensive changes and try to give new impetus to his government, just three months after the big reshuffle in November and a little over a year of presidential elections?
"Mystery ... The ball will roll on the wheel throughout the weekend," said a tenor of the majority.
"I work. I am 100% mobilized as Minister of Foreign Affairs.I do not comment on rumors in Paris, "said Kuwait Alliot-Marie.
"Regardless of what happens when I landed in Paris," she added, however, as resigned to his dismissal.
According to ministers, the situation became untenable and "we must stop it" because "Michele Alliot-Marie was unscrewed and leads everyone." "The sequence of the French presidency of the G20 is important and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be prominent at the side of the head of state. But in his post, the action does not erase image "tarnished by the case to twists on holiday in Tunisia, said one of them.
To replace Mr.Juppe of Defense, several names were circulating this weekend, including the boss of UMP senators, Gerard Longuet, but also former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, or the interior minister, Brice Hortefeux, which could then give way to Beauvau Claude Gueant.
The reshuffle could also see the arrival of two or three secretaries of state - including liberals and centrists - repeatedly announced and postponed.New Center hoped Saturday that the realignment "will allow a rebalancing policy.
As for the companion of MMA, the Minister of Relations with Parliament, Patrick Ollier, his fate seems outstanding and not necessarily tied to that of his companion.
Campaigning Sunday for his fief cantonal Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), he merely said he would "when the situation" arises.
