The French president, François Hollande, has named Bernard Cazeneuve to head the French government as prime minister until a presidential election next May. Cazeneuve, who was interior minister, replaced Manuel Valls, who resigned on Tuesday morning after announcing his bid to become France’s next president, informs The Guardian.

He will name his government later, but is not expected to carry out a significant reshuffle for the remaining five months of the socialist government’s term in office.

Cazeneuve, 53, one of Hollande’s most loyal lieutenants, was generally unknown in France until named government spokesman in 2012.

He was promoted to the interior ministry in 2014, and became a household name after the series of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists over the last two years, including those in Paris and Nice, that killed 250 people.

His sober, discreet appearance and calm pronouncements made him appear a safe pair of hands for the grieving republic.

Cazeneuve is a lawyer by training, has been an MP since 1997 and was mayor of Cherbourg between 2001 and 2012, when he gave up the position to join the government. He has two children.

France will hold legislative elections in June after the two-round presidential election in April and May.

Source: The Guardian