French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday named Francois Fillon as prime minister, Sarkozy’s office said in a statement.
Outgoing Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who has been head of government since June 2005, handed over power to the new premier in a formal ceremony at Matignon official residence on Thursday.
Fillon, a 53-year-old moderate conservative of the ruling UMP party, had been Sarkozy’s closest aide on his recent election campaign. He was a former social and education minister, and his crucial experience in pensions reform will be an asset to the new president’s administration.
In his brief remarks made at the ceremony, Fillon pledged to assure an eminent place for France in the 21st century, while rallying the nation together in a spirit of outreach.
President Sarkozy was scheduled to announce the full line-up of all 15-member government on Friday, so that the new team can quickly set about implementing the president’s promises of change and reform to revitalize the sluggish French economy.