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| Valls government | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet name | Valls government |
| Cabinet number | 36th (Fifth Republic) |
| Jurisdiction | France |
| Incumbent | 2014–2016 |
| Date formed | 31 March 2014 |
| Date dissolved | 6 December 2016 |
| Government head | Manuel Valls |
| State head | François Hollande |
| Political parties | Socialist Party; Radical Party of the Left; Miscellaneous left |
| Legislature status | Minority government |
| Election | 2012 French legislative election |
| Legislature term | 14th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic |
| Previous | Second Ayrault government |
| Successor | Cazeneuve government |
Valls government led by Manuel Valls was the executive of the French Republic from 31 March 2014 to 6 December 2016 under President François Hollande. Formed following the collapse of the Second Ayrault government, it combined ministers from the Socialist Party, the Radical Party of the Left, and independents. The cabinet navigated crises including the 2015 Île-de-France attacks, economic stagnation, and intra-party conflicts ahead of the 2017 French presidential election.
In the aftermath of municipal losses for the Socialist Party and growing criticism of Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, President François Hollande appointed Manuel Valls to form a new cabinet, echoing cabinet reshuffles after the 2012 French presidential election and the fallout from the 2014 European Parliament election in France. The formation sought to balance figures close to Arnaud Montebourg, Martine Aubry, and supporters of Emmanuel Macron while responding to pressures from trade unions such as the Confédération générale du travail (CGT), Force Ouvrière, and Confédération française démocratique du travail (CFDT). The new lineup aimed to address economic commitments tied to the Stability and Growth Pact and the Fiscal Compact (European Union).
The cabinet featured notable ministers including Bernard Cazeneuve (Interior), Michel Sapin (Finance), Laurent Fabius (Foreign Affairs), Ségolène Royal (Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy), and Marisol Touraine (Health). It incorporated figures from the Radical Party of the Left such as Sylvia Pinel and technocrats close to Emmanuel Macron who later influenced policy debates. Other prominent names included Jean-Yves Le Drian, Axel Kahn, and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem in roles affecting education and cultural affairs. Several appointments reflected tensions between the party's left wing represented by Arnaud Montebourg and the moderate wing led by Manuel Valls and Matignon allies.
Domestic initiatives under the cabinet addressed public administration reform, territorial reorganization following the 2015 French departmental elections and the 2014 French cantonal elections, and security measures after incidents such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting. Reforms touched on the Territorial Reform Act (2015) and the reform of the Regions of France, intersecting with debates involving the Senate (France) and the National Assembly (France). Efforts to modernize public services referenced models from Germany, United Kingdom, and OECD recommendations while provoking reactions from political actors including Marine Le Pen and Nicolas Sarkozy.
The cabinet implemented the Responsibility Pact and austerity-related measures aimed at meeting commitments under the European Union's Stability and Growth Pact and reducing the public deficit amid concerns raised by European Central Bank officials like Mario Draghi. Finance Minister Michel Sapin presented budgets that included spending cuts, tax adjustments, and incentives for competitiveness echoing proposals from the Attali Commission. Policies intersected with the Labour Code debates and the push for competitiveness linked to the Competitiveness and Employment Tax Credit (CICE). Tensions emerged with industrial regions represented by deputies from Nord (French department) and Pas-de-Calais (department).
Labor disputes under the cabinet involved major trade unions including the Confédération générale du travail (CGT), Confédération française démocratique du travail (CFDT), and Solidaires. The government promoted labor measures culminating in the contentious El Khomri law (Labour Law reform), triggering mass protests and strikes influenced by student groups such as the Union Nationale Lycéenne and activists linked to the Nuit debout movement. Ministers like Myriam El Khomri engaged social partners from businesses including Medef and public sector unions representing workers in RATP and SNCF.
Foreign policy responses included leadership during France's military operations like Operation Chammal against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and intervention in Mali linked to Operation Serval and Operation Barkhane. Diplomacy involved relations with United States, Germany, Russia, and partners in NATO and the European Union, as well as participation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the COP21 climate conference. Foreign ministers navigated crises including the Syrian Civil War and the Ukraine crisis (2014–present), balancing sanctions policy with engagement of actors like Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama.
The cabinet faced controversies over surveillance legislation after the 2015 Île-de-France attacks and debates on state of emergency powers set against constitutional review by the Conseil constitutionnel. Internal conflicts included public clashes with figures like Arnaud Montebourg and resignations that echoed past sackings such as the 2014 cabinet reshuffle. The government's popularity declined in polls by organizations like Ifop and Ipsos, while opponents such as Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon capitalized on dissatisfaction. Allegations of insufficient economic results and clashes over secularism (laïcité) amplified disputes with municipal actors in cities like Marseille and Lyon.
Following the defeat of the Socialist Party in the 2016 regional elections and mounting intra-party pressure, Manuel Valls resigned in December 2016 to allow reshuffling under Bernard Cazeneuve. The cabinet's legacy includes the acceleration of labor reform debates, contributions to counterterrorism policy after the 2015 Paris attacks, and positioning of figures such as Emmanuel Macron for later national prominence in the 2017 French presidential election. Historical assessments contrast the cabinet's crisis management on security with critiques of its economic and social reform outcomes.