MINISTER OF INDUSTRY OF FRANCE PATRICK DEVEJYAN HAS LOST HIS MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIO

PanARMENIAN.Net - The reasons of the absence of Devejyan's name in the list of the new cabinet members are quite vague. The thing is that political analysts were sure that he would be given a ministerial post and there were real grounds for such forecasts. On the day before the new government was announced, referring to official sources, Russian "RIA - News" agency reported that Devejyan was offered the post of the Minister of Transport. What happened on the eve of announcing the new government is unknown. If the Minister of Industry was really offered a new ministerial post, but the post of the Minister of Transport was occupied by another person, it can be presumed that Devejyan himself refused to be involved in Dominique Vilpen's team. But why? There are no grounds to suppose that Vilpen distrusts Devejyan with whom he had had long-term productive cooperation in the parliament, in the government and in the executive committee of the ruling "Union for a popular movement" party. No one has ever noticed any conflicts between them. Moreover there are no grounds to suppose that the new Prime Minister may feel distrusts towards Armenian community headed by Patrick Devejyan.

So, what could be the reason ? It can be supposed that the reason of Devejyan's withdrawal from the government is directly or indirectly connected with the strengthening of the factor of the Secretary General of "Union for popular majority" party Nicolas Sarkozy who has been appointed Minister of the Interior and has become the third important person in the country. It is customary to regard the leader of the ruling party as the opponent of Shirak in many issues. Ambitious Sarkozy does not conceal his intention to take part in the presidential elections. But Shirak has repeatedly hinted that he does not exclude the possibility of his candidature for the third term. Observers suppose that confrontation between Sarkozy and the government members who will stay faithful to the President is inevitable. Many analysts think that in the situation formed, Sarkozy is already eager to get rid of the people of Shirak. Everyone knows that Devejyan is an adherent of Shirak at least because Devejyan was Shirak's lawyer and protected the future president in the course of a series of legal processes.

Patrick Devejyan is 60 years old. He is an active figure in the Armenian community of France. Patrick Devejyan protected the members of ASSALA organization who were accused of attacking Turkish diplomats. His input is especially significant in the process of recognition of Armenian genocide. Patrick Devejyan has been the mayor of Antoni city. Several times he has been elected deputy of the National Assembly. In 1999 he put his candidature for the post of the leader of the ruling party and even passed to the second tour. In 2002 Patrick Devejyan was appointed Minister Delegate for Local Liberties. In 2004 he was appointed Minister Delegate of Industry. Patrick Devejyan is a member of the board of the ruling "Union for popular majority" party.

Changes in the staff of the French government have resulted in the strengthening of muslims' positions. Two representatives of Dominique Vilpen's cabinet practice Islam. They are Azouz Begag - the delegate minister for the promotion of equality of chances and Hamlaoui Mekachera - delegate minister for war veterans. These appointments testify to the fact that the Islamic factor in France increases. However, the withdrawal of Devejyan from the government will in no way impact on the significance of Armenian factor in France. Firstly, Devejyan does not leave politics. It is quite possible that he will be offered some other state post. Secondly, is has long been clear that the approach of the political elite of France towards Armenian question is not conditioned by the role of separate individuals. Today, the number of pro-Armenian politicians in the socialistic opposition is no less than that in the government, so there are no grounds for worry.