Cazeneuve named French PM as Valls quits to run for president

December 06, 2016 23:13

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve was appointed as the new prime minister today after Manuel Valls resigned to seek the Socialist nomination in next year's presidential election.

Cazeneuve, who has overseen the security forces' reaction to a string of jihadist attacks that have killed more than 230 people in France over the past two years, will take control of the Socialist government until the election in May.

The widely-respected former lawyer was named to the post after President Francois Hollande accepted Valls's resignation early today.

Cazeneuve, 53, has served in various government roles, including budget minister and minister in charge of European affairs, before becoming interior minister in April 2014.

Bruno Le Roux, leader of the Socialists in the lower house of parliament, will take over the interior portfolio.

The mini-reshuffle comes after Valls, who has been prime minister for the past two-and-a-half years, said yesterday he would step down to contest a leftwing primary in January.

The 54-year-old quit the government to devote himself to the presidential race, in which polls currently show him trailing in fifth place overall.

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