Manuel Valls is no longer a minister. François Hollande's former Prime Minister had indeed made his return to the political scene, joining François Bayrou's government on December 23, 2024, as Minister of Overseas Territories. His successor, Sébastien Lecornu, had reappointed him to his post on October 5, before submitting his resignation the following day. And while this close friend of Emmanuel Macron accepted the head of state's offer to return to Matignon, Manuel Valls has been shown the door: he has been replaced at the Ministry of Overseas Territories by Horizons MP Naïma Moutchou. On Instagram, Manuel Valls did not hide his bitterness at not having continued his mission at the Hôtel de Montmorin. While the man who unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Barcelona in 2019 assures that he "is leaving the government without regret ," he also expresses his disgust.

"I do not hide from you my deep concern, in the face of the political events of recent weeks, so perilous for our country, for democracy and for the Republic, deplores Manuel Valls, in the video posted on his Instagram account. I also do not hide from you my discomfort, not to say my disgust, in the face of the political spectacle offered to the French." The former Minister of Overseas Territories, who held this position for a little less than 10 months, also assures that he is "sad" to leave this mission, "exciting, exhilarating" . "We have undertaken so many projects ," continues Manuel Valls, who lists in his post New Caledonia, "which must be the government's absolute priority ," but also Mayotte, the high cost of living, drug trafficking, "demetropolitanization" ... He also concludes his message, on Instagram, by greeting François Bayrou, who had appointed him to his post, in December 2024. Without a word for Sébastien Lecornu.

A "President's Choice" : Why was Manuel Valls not reappointed to Sébastien Lecornu's government?

While the discourse on Instagram is polite, behind the scenes, Manuel Valls is said to have taken his ouster badly, says Politico.   . According to this media outlet specializing in political issues, the non-renewal of the former socialist in Sébastien Lecornu's government would be due to "a cocktail of reasons" . First, Emmanuel Macron would have "not appreciated two or three things" , according to an advisor to the president interviewed by Politico , about his management of the evolution of the status of New Caledonia. Furthermore, Manuel Valls would have been the victim of a desire to renew the heads, and to guarantee a certain parity, within the government. A "choice of the president" which, according to this media outlet, would have put Sébastien Lecornu in an embarrassing situation, the Prime Minister "almost apologizing" when he informed Manuel Valls of this decision.