French President Nicolas Sarkozy has extensively reshuffled his cabinet after the election of two of his key ministers to serve in the European Parliament. Despite initial indications that Sarkozy would simply “readjust” his administration to replace departing Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier and Minister of Justice Rachida Dati, the changes have proved significant.

Christian Estrosi was appointed minister of industry while Luc Chatel will serve as minister of education and as a government spokesman. Other important changes concern the ministries of culture, interior, labour and rural territories.

A Mitterrand in the Sarkozy cabinet

Frédéric Mitterrand, the new minister of culture, is probably Sarkozy’s most impressive catch, bringing to the team a prestigious legacy. Sarkozy knows former President François Mitterrand’s nephew quite well; he appointed him head of the Villa Medicis French cultural academy in Rome.

A producer, film director and television host, Mitterrand, 61, has also authored several books, including La Mauvaise Vie (The Bad Life), in which he revealed his homosexuality.

But Christine Albanel’s successor is not totally new to politics. In 1993, he was involved in the radical left movement before supporting Jacques Chirac’s candidacy for president in 1995.

Hortefeux becomes top cop

Brice Hortefeux has finally obtained the post many think he has been dreaming of since the beginning of Sarkozy’s presidency: head of the Interior Ministry. He replaces Michèle Alliot-Marie, who will take over the Ministry of Justice from Rachida Dati.

Known to be loyal to the president, Hortefeux took the helm of the controversial Ministry of Immigration and National Identity at the start of Sarkozy’s term before moving over to the Ministry of Labour in January.

Hortefeux, who never had time to move past his image as the minister in charge of sending illegal immigrants packing, is now in the very high-profile post of France’s top cop.

Alliot-Marie to tackle thorny prison issue

A mainstay of the Chirac era, Alliot-Marie gets another prime spot in the cabinet as minister of justice after two years as minister of the interior.

Known for her authoritative and sometimes combative personallity, "MAM" served as defense minister under Chirac and will now succeed Dati, who was elected to the European Parliament on June 7.

Alliot-Marie takes over a ministry left sensitive and exposed after some recent and intensely criticized reforms. Among the most urgent issues she will have to address is that of the deteriorating conditions in French prisons.

Darcos moves from one challenge to another

In taking over the Ministry of Labour, Social Relations and Family, the former minister of education inherits another delicate mission.

Xavier Darcos has been entrusted with a ministry facing its own set of urgent issues. Among his new responsibilities will be taking on reforms relating to retirement; Sarkozy has promised action by mid-2010.

Le Maire promoted to agriculture

Named minister of food, agriculture and fisheries, Bruno Le Maire leaves his job as secretary of state for European affairs, where he had been working on coordinating French-German rapprochement over the economic and financial crisis.

He entered the government on tiptoes in December 2008, having been recruited for his knowledge of German society and language despite mistrust of his close ties to former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, Sarkozy’s sworn enemy.

Mercier poached from the centre

Treasurer of François Bayrou’s centrist MoDem party and president of the Senate’s centrist group, Rhône region Senator Michel Mercier has been regularly participating in meetings with Sarkozy’s associates.

With his muted voice and jovial smile, the diplomatic Mercier has distanced himself from Bayrou. The day after municipal elections, Mercier stepped down from the presidency of the centrist party in his region.

Mercier’s arrival in Sarkozy’s cabinet as minister of rural territories allows the French president to revive his cherished policy of opening up his government to rival parties.