President Emmanuel Macron Named of the European Union The former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister of France.
The announcement came on Thursday after more than 50 days of caretaker government.
The appointment of 73-year-old Barnier follows weeks of intense efforts by Macron and his aides to find a candidate who can build loose factions of supporters in parliament and withstand possible attempts by Macron’s opponents to quickly topple the new government. Barnier will now co-lead.
A statement from Macron’s office announcing Barnier’s appointment said he was tasked with “building a unified government to serve the country and the French people”.
The statement added: “This appointment follows an unprecedented round of consultations, during which, in accordance with his constitutional duty, the President ensured that the Prime Minister and the future government would meet the conditions to remain as stable as possible and give themselves a chance. to unite as widely as possible.”
Barnier, a career politician proud of his humble roots in France’s Alpine region of Haute-Savoie, is no stranger to complex and difficult tasks.
He was the chief negotiator of the European Union in difficult negotiations with UK on its Brexit departure from the block.
That will change Gabriel Attalwho resigned on July 16 after rapid-fire legislative elections that plunged France into political turmoil, creating a divided and hung parliament.
But Macron kept Atal and his ministers in charge of day-to-day operations, so that political instability did not overshadow him. July 26-August 11 Paris OlympicsWhile France was in the global spotlight.
In a political career spanning more than 50 years, Barnier served as French minister of foreign affairs, European affairs, environment and agriculture – and twice as European commissioner – but never before held any leadership position, such as president or prime minister. Minister
Impressive Far left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon Barnier immediately came out against the appointment and predicted that the new prime minister would not have the support of a majority in the bitterly divided National Assembly.
Melenchon said the appointment flew in the face of the July 7 legislative election results that split the lower house of parliament between three main factions – the left, which includes Melenchon’s party; The center is where Macron is basing his support, and the far right, is converging around Anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen.
“The election has been stolen,” Melenchon said.
Le Pen, on the other hand, indicated she was willing to give Mr Barnier a chance but said her National Rally party would not participate in his government because the new prime minister “does not share our views”.
She says the 2025 budget will be a priority for Barnier’s government – it faces a tight deadline to deliver one.
France is also under pressure from the EU to manage its finances, as Brussels reprimands Paris for running up too much debt.
“Barnier is someone who respects other political forces,” Le Pen said. “It is important because, given the state of France’s budget, a compromise has to be made.”
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