Refusing to Resign and Striking Back at Her Critics, Foreign Minister Alliot-Marie Is Still Rumored to Be Kicked Out of Sarkozy's Government Shortly

Michèle Alliot-Marie has published a rebuttal to the group of anonymous diplomats who authored of a stinging attack on the Sarkozy government's foreign policy, but although the foreign minister denies she is thinking of resigning, still rumors have it that Sarkozy will get rid of her by Monday…

“Cela va bouger dans les quarante-huit heures”, confirme un proche du président. “L’Elysée ne peut pas être suspendu tous les mardis à la parution du Canard enchaîné“, poursuit ce proche.

Among the names of politicians who might replace her: defense minister Alain Juppé (who might in turn be replaced at defense by the Senate UMP group's helmer Gérard Longuet), agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire, former prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin…