Former Socialist premier Laurent Fabius arrives at the Elysee Palace
Former Socialist premier Laurent Fabius arrives at the Elysee Palace on May 15. Fabius could get either the defence or foreign ministry portfolios in the new French cabinet, observers say. French President Francois Hollande's new premier Jean-Marc Ayrault has got straight to work hiring a cabinet on his first day on the job, vowing to get France back on its feet.