Two ministers of Moroccan origin in France’s new government

French president Emmanuel Macron unveiled a line-up of a new government of 39 ministers, including two of Moroccan origins.

The government, led by prime minister, Michel Barnier, kept Rachida Dati as culture minister, while another minister of Moroccan roots, Othman Nasrou, took the portfolio of citizenship and the fight against discrimination.

Dati in particular has close ties with Morocco’s political class and is believed to have played a key role in fostering Paris-Rabat relations. Relations between the two countries improved significantly after France expressed clear backing to Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory.

The new government was formed after inconclusive parliamentary elections that marked the rise of the far-right.

Barnier, a conservative, is best known internationally for leading the EU’s Brexit negotiations with the UK.

The government’s first major task would be preparing the 2025 appropriation bill, as the European Union puts France on notice over its spiraling debt, which now far exceeds EU rules.

France’s public-sector deficit is projected to reach around 5.6% of GDP this year and go over 6% in 2025. The EU has a 3% limit on deficits.