Women play big role in France's new Cabinet

By Associated Press

PARIS (AP) - For the first time in modern-day France, the country now has a Cabinet where women hold half the posts.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault named two new female ministers on Thursday in a minor government adjustment, bringing the total number of women in the 38-member Cabinet to 19.

Newly elected Socialist President Francois Hollande approved the lineup in keeping with long-standing custom.

The Cabinet now honors a campaign pledge by Hollande for parity among men and women in the government.

Besides Ayrault, the other key ministries, including finance, foreign affairs and defense, remained unchanged from the interim government that was named between the presidential election in May and last week's legislative election, which Holland's party swept.

Christine Taubira, the justice minister, is the top ranking woman in the Cabinet.

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Women play big role in France's new Cabinet