Élisabeth Borne: a long-serving technocrat and ‘woman of the left’

France's first female PM in 30 years has been a regular in the corridors of power for several decades

Elisabeth Borne, who has been appointed France's first woman prime minister in more than 30 years, has a reputation as a technocrat with a long career in many different government ministries and local administrations. She is experienced in negotiating with trade unions, seen as crucial as Emmanuel Macron prepares an overhaul of the pensions and benefits system which could lead to street protests.

The 61-year-old engineer, who had previously headed Paris's state transport company, RATP, was fiercely loyal to the centrist president during his first term, when she served as minister for transport, environment and finally labour from 2020.