French right wing politicians reacted angrily today after new president Emmanuel Macron named 11 women in a politically and gender-balanced cabinet.
The newly elected French president unveiled his cabinet yesterday, honouring his pledge to introduce gender-parity across the roles, with half of the 22 posts taken up by women.
His cabinet members also come from differing political backgrounds, including conservative moderates, Republicans and socialist politicians.
The far-right National Front, represented by rival Marine Le Pen for the majority of the election campaign, slammed the new president for calling on Republicans.
They claim his choices would stop the Republicans forming an effective opposition.
Mr Macron had already chosen Republican Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Monday, causing party members to “disown” him.
The National Front told CNN that many members were "personalities who have already significantly demonstrated their complete incompetence."
It added: "The large number of ministers from the ranks of the Republicans, in addition to the Prime Minister himself, also confirms that the Republicans will not be able to claim to be a force opposed to the power in place."
Only one of the top five cabinet posts, the role of defence minister, went to a woman, with Sylvie Goulard taking up the role.
Olympic fencing champion Laura Flessel will take up the role of sports minister.
Long time ally Gérard Collomb, the former socialist mayor of Lyon, has been appointed interior minister.
During the election, Mr Macron said it would be “unacceptable” if women did not have parity in the French government.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, in charge of defence under President François Hollande, will become foreign minister, while Nicolas Hulot, an environmentalist, becomes ecology minister.
The Republican Party, sent out a statement calling the cabinet “confusing”.
Leading French conservative Francois Baroin accused Mr Macron of "dynamiting" the political landscape ahead of announcing his cabinet.
The Republic on the Move secretary-general Richard Ferrand told French radio that Mr Macron wanted to “bring people together, beyond old divides that have become pointless.”
