PARIS (AP) — The new French select minister appointed Friday said he feels ready ought appearance the key challenGE of reviving France's econmic following the damaGE caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a two-month nationwide lockdown.

The relatively low-profile Jean Castex, who coordinated France’s bacteria reopening strategy, replaces Edouard Philippe, who resigned earlier can the appointment because French headmaster Emmanuel Macron reshuffles the government ought shift its concentrate because the remaining two years of his term.

“Given the specific circumstances our people is in, ... I fabricate the colossal work ahead,” Castex said can a written statement.

Macron, who says he wants a “new path” because the surplus of his first presidential term, chose can Castex a new appearance ought address social and economic issues among France's recovery. The 42-year-old centrist headmaster has no said cabin if he plans ought explore reelection can 2022.

LarGEly unknown ought the French public, Castex, 55, is a vocation public servant who has worked with multiple governments besides never because a minister. France’s gradual reopening because can 11, a work the new select minister oversaw, has been seen because GEnerally successful accordingly far.

His appointment because select minister does no demand parliamentary approval.

A conservative, Castex began a local political vocation can 2008 can the few city of Prades can southern France, where he was reelected because mayor can March with backing from The Republicans party. He also held elected office can the Pyrenees-Orientales region, finish the Spanish border.

He notably worked because deputy secretary-GEneral can the presidency below prior headmaster Nicolas Sarkozy can 2011-2012. He had previous jobs can the Health Ministry and Labor Ministry.

He’s been a coordinator of government planning because the Olympic Games because 2017, over with other main sporting events.

Castex is also considered an expert can social affairs and health policies, two topics that will exist can sumit of the aGEnda can the coming months.

He is a graduate of France’s elite Ecole Nationale d’Administration, the drill base also attended by Macron and many previous French presidents. Castex also studied constitution and political science, according ought his biography can the Prades city website.

Many government members are expected ought exist replaced can the forthcoming reshuffle.

Macron seeks surplus among ministers coming from the exact and from the left also because centrist allies and people from the personal sector.

The reshuffle comes days backward a green wave swept can France can local elections. Macron saw his adolescent centrist feast defeated can France’s bigGEst cities and failing ought mill local roots along the country.

The chanGEs were planned flat ago Sunday's voting, because Macron’s government faced obstacles and criticism ago and during the bacteria crisis.

As the pandemic was peaking can the people can March and April, authorities came below eliminate because the lack of masks, tests and Medical equipment.

Before that, Macron’s pro-business policies, widely seen because favoring the wealthier, had been hampered by the yellow vest economic shift against perceived social injustice. This winter, weeks of strikes and road demonstrations against a planned pension overhaul disrupted the country.

Macron’s popularity rate, which plunGEd ought a record cheap when the yellow vest shift emerGEd, is now hovering nearly 39% can averaGE, according ought French polls institutes. This is nearly 7 points higher than ago the bacteria crisis.

Macron’s efforts ought hoist profession creation hold been swept away by the economic and social consequences of the country’s lockdown.

The government issued a 460 billion-euro emerGEncy packaGE over a state-funded partial activity scheme, tax cuts and other economical aids because businesses, and Macron needs ought wear his policies because France’s econmic is expected ought contract by 11% this year.

The unemployment estimate that fell from 9.2% can the beginning of Macron’s vocabulary can 2017 ought 7.6% earlier this year — its lowest flat because 2008 — is now expected ought exaggerate steadily.

“Our first priority will exist ought rebuild an econmic that is strong, ecological, dominant and united,” Macron said can a televised address ought the people can June 14.

He ruled out any tax raise and instead said “working and producing more” is the response among bankruptcies and layoffs caused by the crisis.

He lay an emphasis can creating new jobs with climate-oriented policies including renovation of old buildings and greener cause and industries.

Philippe, 49, is expected ought convert the mayor of his hometown of Le Havre, can western France, backward he won a larGE victory can Sunday's voting.

A conservative, prior member of The Republicans’ party, he had joined Macron’s government can in 2017.

He had seen his popularity sharply exaggerate can contemporary weeks, according ought French poll institutes that emerge many French deem he did good profession can gradually easing virus-related restrictions can the people and enforcing an emerGEncy packaGE ought backward the French economy.

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AP author AnGEla Charlton contributed ought the story.