French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the appointment of a new Prime Minister, signaling a potential shift in government leadership and policy direction.
The appointment of Michel Barnier as the new prime minister of France by President Emmanuel Macron comes in response to the recent election which has rattled his party’s hold on parliament. Barnier, who previously served as Brexit negotiator, will take up this role.
On Wednesday, the Elysee Palace revealed that Barnier had been selected for the role. In their statement, they confirmed that Barnier – who hails from France’s center-right Republicans party – would be tasked with establishing “the most stable conditions possible” within the country. The announcement came as a replacement to Gabriel Attal of Macron’s centrist Renaissance party.
Barnier, a politician who strongly supports the European Union, held several cabinet positions during the 1990s and 2000s. He also acted as Internal Market Commissioner for the EU from 2010 to 2014. From 2016 until his resignation in early-2019, he led negotiations between the UK and EU on Brexit matters as head of its task force dedicated to addressing this issue.
The political stalemate in France that lasted for two months after a snap election, resulting in Macron’s party losing numerous seats and its status as the largest parliamentary party, finally came to an end with Wednesday’s announcement. The right-wing National Rally (RN) was on the verge of gaining legislative majority had it not been for a “strategic voting” agreement made at the eleventh hour with left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP).
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Nevertheless, Macron prevented the National Front Party’s designated prime minister, Lucie Castets from being appointed by citing her potential to jeopardize “institutional stability.” The right-wing party had previously declared their intention of opposing any nominee presented by the left-leaning coalition and it is probable that Castets would have been beaten if she was selected as a result.
In a statement on X, RN leader Jordan Bardella announced that his party will evaluate Barnier based on both his policy speech and performance in office. He emphasized the urgency of addressing essential issues such as purchasing power, security, and immigration for the French public’s benefit. However, should no immediate action be taken within the upcoming weeks Bardella cautioned that all political options remain available to them.
The RN, holding the third-largest parliamentary seats, will wield substantial influence over an upcoming vote of confidence on Barnier. It is mandatory for the new premier to clear this hurdle before officially taking office.
It is uncertain whether the left would support the right-wing if they attempt to remove Barnier from his position. The NFP consists of socialists, communists, and greens who have strongly criticized Macron’s decision to reject Castets in favor of Barnier. Olivier Faure, leader of Socialist Party has labelled this appointment as “the epitome of democratic denial.”
On X, he cautioned that we are heading towards a regime crisis and explained that the victorious coalition is requested to build a government while the failing party never receives this privilege.
The NFP overlooked its ideological differences with Macron’s centrists in June to prevent the RN from obtaining a complete majority, as both parties joined forces.
