Turin, 23 December (LaPresse) – ‘It is not true that any influence was exerted on me,’ on the formation of the new government. This was said by French Prime Minister François Bayrou to Bfmtv, in response to Republican Xavier Bertrand who turned down the post of Justice Minister, claiming that the executive ‘was formed with the endorsement of Marine Le Pen’. Bayrou explained that he received him but was not convinced by his indications for the Justice Ministry. 'His approach was not mine. The Ministry of Justice is not a department of war and division. It serves to pacify and give a feeling of fairness,' Bayrou said. ‘I offered him the Ministry of Agriculture. He told me no, it was justice or nothing,' the premier said.