French Government Reshuffle Pushed to Feb 25 as Dati Delays Exit
Updated (2 articles)
Reshuffle Rescheduled for February 25 After Ministerial Hesitation The cabinet overhaul will be announced no earlier than Wednesday, 25 February, according to the Matignon office. The postponement follows Culture Minister Rachida Dati’s reluctance to leave her post while she campaigns for the Paris mayoralty. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had pledged to name departing ministers before the municipal‑election reserve period begins on 22 February, but the timeline was adjusted to avoid procedural conflict. [1][2]
Three Ministers Identified for Departure in Upcoming Adjustment Culture Minister Rachida Dati, Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin, and Autonomy‑Handicap Minister Charlotte Parmentier‑Lecocq are slated to exit the cabinet. De Montchalin will assume the presidency of the Cour des comptes on Monday, requiring her removal from the government on Sunday. Parmentier‑Lecocq plans to resume her seat in the National Assembly to prevent a by‑election in Nord. Dati’s departure remains pending pending her mayoral campaign. [1][2]
Municipal Election Reserve Period Triggers Exit Timelines The reserve period for the municipal elections starts on the night of 22 February, restricting ministerial changes that could influence the vote. Dati has publicly pledged to resign before the first round on 15 March, echoing a 2020 precedent. The government’s delay respects the electoral calendar while ensuring compliance with the reserve rule. [2][1]
RN Censure Motion Over Energy Decree Influences Timing The far‑right National Rally is expected to table a motion of censure against the 12 February energy multi‑annual programming decree. Executives told Le Monde the cabinet reshuffle would wait until Parliament debates the motion, to avoid the appearance of contempt. Lecornu’s team emphasized respect for parliamentary procedure as the primary reason for the postponement. [2][1]
Sources
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1.
Le Monde: Rachida Dati’s ministerial exit delays French government reshuffle to Feb 25: reports that Dati’s hesitation and the RN censure risk pushed the reshuffle to at least 25 February, detailing the revised timetable and related parliamentary considerations.
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2.
Le Monde: Government reshuffle postponed pending RN censure motion: explains that the cabinet change is held back until after the RN’s planned censure debate, lists the three ministers to leave, and notes Dati’s commitment to quit before the March 15 municipal vote.
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Timeline
2020 – Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe runs a dual campaign, serving as premier while standing for mayor of Le Havre, a precedent cited as a reference for Rachida Dati’s simultaneous ministerial role and Paris mayoral candidacy [2].
Feb 22, 2026 – The electoral reserve period for the municipal elections opens, prompting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to pledge to name departing ministers before this date and Culture Minister Rachida Dati to quit the government “before the first‑round vote on 15 March” [2].
Feb 23, 2026 – Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin must be removed from the cabinet on Sunday because she will assume the presidency of the Cour des comptes on Monday, forcing an official dismissal that day [2].
Feb 24, 2026 – The far‑right National Rally plans to table an energy‑roadmap motion of censure on Monday, a move that could trigger a parliamentary debate as early as Wednesday and delay any cabinet reshuffle until after the discussion [2].
Feb 25, 2026 – The prime minister’s office confirms the “government adjustment” will be disclosed no earlier than this Wednesday, postponing the reshuffle to avoid “contempt for Parliament” amid the RN censure motion and because Culture Minister Rachida Dati hesitates to leave her post [1][2].
Feb 25, 2026 – Autonomy‑handicap minister Charlotte Parmentier‑Lecocq resigns to retake her seat in the National Assembly, a maneuver intended to prevent a partial legislative election in the Nord department should her substitute win the mayoral race in Templeuve‑en‑Pévèle [1].
Mar 15, 2026 (expected) – Rachida Dati commits to exit the government before the first round of the municipal elections, aligning her departure with the electoral calendar and echoing the 2020 dual‑campaign precedent [2].