The new government led by Barnier has broken away from the previous government by allowing ministers to hold multiple local government positions along with their ministerial roles. This includes François Durovray, the minister of transportation, who will continue to serve as the president of the Essonne department council, and Fabrice Loher, in charge of the sea, who will remain the mayor of Lorient. The absence of a legal obligation for ministers to relinquish their local government positions contrasts with laws banning parliamentary representatives from holding executive local roles, which were put in place as recently as 2014.
While there has been some flexibility in enforcing this rule, particularly in the past where certain ministers were allowed to continue their local government duties alongside their ministerial roles, the current government under Barnier seems to be revisiting the issue. Durovray’s comment that it is important for elected officials to have a deep understanding of the local issues they face suggests a shift towards prioritizing this aspect over the traditional separation of roles. This sentiment is echoed by Nicolas Daragon, the mayor of Valence and minister in charge of daily security, who emphasizes the importance of maintaining his connection to the community.
Despite the norms being reevaluated by the current government, there are still instances where ministers have continued to hold multiple positions. Gérald Darmanin was able to retain his mayorship for a few months after being reelected, and Rachida Dati, while serving as a minister of culture, remained the mayor of Paris’ 7th arrondissement. This flexibility reflects a historical trend where some ministers have been allowed to hold both local and national roles concurrently.
The argument for ministers holding local government positions while in office is based on the idea that they have a better understanding of local issues and can provide valuable insight to the government. This approach seems to be favored by the current government, as indicated by the statements of Durovray and Daragon. Ultimately, the decision to allow ministers to hold multiple roles may lead to a more integrated approach to governance, blending national and local priorities. This shift in practice could have implications for how government functions and how decisions are made in the future.
