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AFP
Agnès Buzyn (L), Edouard Philippe (C) and Olivier Véran are the subject of the investigation.
A court launched an investigation into the French government’s handling of the coronavirus response.
The investigation is focused on three high-ranking figures, including outgoing Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, following complaints from unions and doctors.
Earlier Friday, Philippe resigned amid a cabinet shakeup.
The government has faced criticism for the shortage of medical equipment during the pandemic.
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Hours after Philippe’s resignation, it was announced that the Republic Court of Justice, which deals with claims of ministerial misconduct, would open an investigation into how his government handled the pandemic.
Along with the outgoing prime minister, those under investigation include Agnès Buzyn, who resigned as health minister in February, and his successor, Olivier Véran, chief prosecutor François Molin said.
France has reported 202,673 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 29,875 deaths.
Why is Macron changing his team?
Macron came to power three years ago, but is now facing an economic crisis after the coronavirus pandemic.
However, a reorganization has been expected for some time, and it is common practice for a French president to replace a prime minister during the five-year term known as “quinquennat”.
Philippe’s future as prime minister had been in doubt for several weeks and he will now take over as mayor in Le Havre, after winning the local vote on Sunday.
“For three years he has been by my side … we have carried out important historical reforms, often in very difficult circumstances. We have a relationship of trust that is unique in terms of the French Republic,” said President Philippe in a journalistic interview.
Who is the new Prime Minister?
Jean Castex, 55, is little known in France, but he is a high-ranking official and has played a key role in the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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AFP / Reuters
Jean Castex (L) replaces Edouard Philippe
He received the nickname “Mr. Desconfinement” after Philippe elected the mayor of the Prades republican party in the Pyrenees to coordinate France’s strategy to lift the blockade.
He attended the same elite university as Macron and Philippe and, like Philippe, was previously a member of the right-wing Republican party.
On Friday night, Castex warned in a speech that “the health crisis, unfortunately, has not ended” and that “the economic and social crisis is already here.”
