The most intense urban violence since 2005 sparked a debate about law and order, immigration, racism and police brutality.
Thursday’s cabinet revamp has been widely interpreted as a signal by Macron to move on from a series of crises since his re-election last year, which also included widespread protests over a hike in the French retirement age.
The reshuffle was limited in scope, with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, crucially, remaining in her post.
That choice reflected his wish for “continuity and efficiency”, Macron said.
Macron also told the cabinet meeting that France needed to bring its finances back on a solid footing after spending to bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and energy subsidies for households triggered a sharp rise in deficits and debt.
“After the summer, we will have to prepare the country, in a way, for a demanding framework and order in terms of public finances,” Macron said.
This, he said, would put France in a position to start repaying debt, cut taxes further and allow “a reasonable management of our deficits”.
Macron’s popularity ratings have begun to recover after suffering a near-record slump in April, when only 31 per cent of respondents in a Jul 5 poll said they had a positive view of him.
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