First Westerner Government Member Victim from the Middle East Turmoil

The current French foreign minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, is expected to be shacked from the government in a mini cabinet reshuffle tomorrow. She has been a member of French government without interruption since 2002. She is being blamed for having close ties with the former Tunisian dictator, Ben Ali. Her fault was that she was vacationing in Tunisia during the civil unrest and suggesting France support the then incumbent leader of Tunisia with riot police support, and for sending tear gas to Tunisia.

According to Le Figaro:

 

The departure of Michele Alliot-Marie is expected. Remains the most difficult for the chief of state: tell her because "it is not at all in her frame of mind."

The announcement of the reshuffle should be made late Sunday afternoon, not Monday as was planned. "The decision is taken to dismiss Michele Alliot-Marie, it seems impossible to let her leave for Geneva on Monday, where she must find Hillary Clinton," says the Figaro near the head of state.

The hypothesis strongly favored by the head of state is that of a surgical realignment, not a great movement of musical chairs. Alain Juppe is expected to be appointed at the Quai d'Orsay, French Ministry. He would have preferred to stay at the Department of Defense, but he eventually resigned to accept the offer for 'the best general interest," says a friend of the mayor of Bordeaux. The Head of State also thought to Bruno Le Maire, who was yesterday in the presidential plane between Paris and Ankara. But it seems that both are agreed on the need to maintain the Ministry of Agriculture, where its position is strategic in order to rebuild trust with the electorate rural and agricultural.

 

Longuet to replace Juppe

Gerard Longuet would most likely replacing Alain Juppe. His appointment would prevent a large movement within the government, that Nicolas Sarkozy would like to avoid.

Remains the most difficult for the chief of state: tell Michele Alliot-Marie that she should leave the government. "she is not at all in this state of mind." She does not understand the case against her, and she considers herself a victim of a cabal, "said one minister. "It's very cruel, after thirty years of political life," admits one of Chief Advisor of the State "but there is no alternative if we want to pursue a peaceful policy in North Africa".

The appointment of three new secretaries of state, whose arrival was expected last month, should also be announced Sunday evening.

Saturday late afternoon, an official from the majority said that Francois Fillon was received at La Lanterne in Versailles by Nicolas Sarkozy.