For the second time only, the Republic has therefore just had a Prime Minister. This did not escape Olivia Leray.
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This is a question that must have been bothering you for 24 hours: do we say “Prime Minister” or “Premiere Minister” to introduce Elisabeth Borne? Reminder : in 1992, that’s what we were saying.
“Prime Minister”. It was Edith Cresson who asked to be called that. For her, that “marked the degree of elevation of this charge”. In 2022, we say “Prime Minister”. Explanation: in the meantime, Lionel Jospin has been there, with a circular of March 6, 1998 for the feminization of ranks, titles and functions.
The French Academy says that the term “Prime Minister” can be imposed, just like “Chancellor” for Angela Merkel for example. In practice, the feminization of titles, functions or ranks is not yet won. Éric Zemmour, for example, refuses to call Élisabeth Borne “Prime Minister” because “it’s ugly” according to him. Another example: in October 2021, MP Julien Aubert called Barbara Pompili “Madam Minister”. The reaction of this one, and the comments it has generated here.
Still according to the French Academy, it is impossible to prohibit the use of the masculine as well as the feminine. The best thing is perhaps to respect the choice of the person concerned: for Elisabeth Borne it is therefore “Prime Minister”.