Evening Update Thursday 20 July 2023

A reshuffle of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's government is taking place today. Amongst the changes, the Prime Minister's former chief of staff Aurelien Rousseau is appointed to the Health Ministry, the head of the Ministry of Public Accounts and former spokesman during the pandemic Gabriel Attal is expected to be appointed as education minister. The mayor of Dunkerque Patrice Vergriete is reportedly appointed as minister for housing. Solidarity Minister Marlene Schiappa leaves the government. The first Council of Ministers meeting with the new ministers is scheduled for 10am tomorrow.

A man in his twenties has been shot in broad daylight in Marseille this morning. The incident happened early this morning in the eighth arrondissement. Initial inquiries suggest that he may have been the victim of a robbery.

Alpes-Maritimes deputy Eric Ciotti has called for the demolition of the Liserons district of Nice. In a social media post today he said that "only the destruction of this lawless zone will make it possible to stop the grip of drug traffickers on this territory".

Four police officers are appearing before an investigating magistrate in Marseille. The members of the BAC anti-crime brigade are suspected of using excessive force during the protests in the city against the death of teenager Nahel in a suburb of Paris several weeks ago.

It's expected to be another busy weekend on French roads. Government roads monitor Bison Fute has said that tomorrow will be yellow and Saturday will be red in the direction of departures. The direction of returns is green all weekend.