Jean Castex, appointed a few hours earlier Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron, arrived on Friday July 3 in the afternoon at the Matignon hotel for the handover with Édouard Philippe.

In front of a compact crowd of collaborators, the two men did not shake hands, because of the barrier gestures intended to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.

After a private interview, Edouard Philippe declared himself "very happy" to "pass the torch" to Jean Castex to whom he wished "very sincerely" much success and success.

"Open mind and firm hand"

"I am very pleased to welcome you to this hotel in Matignon and to pass the torch to you," he said to the new Prime Minister during the traditional handover ceremony.

Stressing that his successor had a fine knowledge of the country, a sincere attachment to the State and political sense, Édouard Philippe said he had "no doubt" that Jean Castex will "make the right decisions".

France, he continued alongside his successor, needs an open mind and a firm hand, "and I think you have this open mind and this firm hand".

With Reuters

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