Overview

• Woerth, 69, takes over the portfolio that includes territorial planning, decentralisation and housing, succeeding François Rebsamen after his announced departure.
• His return to government comes days after his acquittal in the alleged Libyan financing of Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, with the financial prosecutor appealing decisions that could lead to a retrial.
• A veteran of right‑wing governments, he previously served as budget minister and later labour and civil service minister under Nicolas Sarkozy.
• He left Les Républicains in 2022 to back Emmanuel Macron and last year presented a report with 51 proposals aimed at rebuilding trust between the state and local authorities.
• Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has pledged a major decentralisation push, positioning Woerth to steer institutional and housing policy with his finance and territorial expertise.