France’s former Prime Minister faces inquiry into coronavirus response

An inquiry has been launched into the France’s former Prime Minister’s handling of coronavirus pandemic response.

France has reported 166,960 confirmed cases of Covid-19 out of which 29,893 have lost their battle against the virus whereas 77,060 have recovered. The number of active cases is 60,007.

The investigation has been launched against three senior figures, including outgoing Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. The news comes amid complaints from unions and doctors. The other two figures are Agnès Buzyn, who resigned as health minister in February, and her successor Olivier Véran.

Note that the French Prime Minister had resigned on Friday after a cabinet reshuffle. 

The government is being criticized for the shortage of medical supplies during coronavirus pandemic. 

However, it was announced that the Law Court of the Republic, which handles cases of ministerial misconduct, will begin an inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic.

French President Emmanuel Macron faced an economic crisis due to the pandemic. A reshuffle is expected for some time. 

The president said of Mr. Philippe in a newspaper interview, “For three years he’s been by my side… we’ve carried out important, historic reform often in very difficult circumstances. We have a relationship of trust that’s in a way unique in terms of the French Republic,”

Note that the new prime Minister of France is Jean Castex, 55. he is a senior civil servant and has played a key role in the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.