Michel Barnier, the former Brexit negotiator for the European Union, has been appointed as the new prime minister of France by President Emmanuel Macron. The decision comes after weeks of prolonged discussions following an indecisive snap election.
Despite considering several potential candidates, Macron struggled to find a prime minister who could garner sufficient support to ensure a stable government.It remains uncertain whether Barnier’s government will be able to pass reforms through a divided parliament, according to Reuters.
Born on January 9, 1951 in La Tronche, a suburb of the French Alpine city of Grenoble, Barnier was elected to parliament at age of 27, representing the Gaullist, centre-right Savoie district. He then served at various cabinet positions, including environment minister, France’s Europe minister, foreign minister, throughout his political career before being named EU’s Brexit negotiator in 2016 after Britain’s referendum on leaving the bloc.
Barnier, known for his strong pro-European stance, adopted a tougher stance on immigration during his unsuccessful bid for the conservative party’s presidential nomination in 2021. This view aligns with that of the RN. Macron’s decision to call the snap parliamentary election in June backfired, resulting in his centrist coalition losing numerous seats and no party securing an absolute majority.
The left’s New Popular Front alliance emerged as the leading force, but Macron declined to ask them to form a government after other parties declared they would promptly vote it down. Instead, he took several weeks to make his decision. Even if the political deadlock persists, Macron will be unable to call another snap election until July of the following year.
Meanwhile, the RN has stated that its support for Barnier will depend on his stance on immigration and his willingness to reform France’s voting system. RN lawmaker Sebastien Chenu said the party would await Barnier’s statements on these issues, while another RN lawmaker, Laurent Jacobelli, emphasized the importance of dissolving parliament as soon as possible, ideally in early July. Jacobelli also stressed the RN’s desire for a prime minister who is committed to establishing proportional representation for parliamentary elections. Despite these conditions, the RN expressed limited enthusiasm for Barnier’s appointment, with Jacobelli remarking, “They are taking out of mothballs those who have governed France for 40 years.”
Despite considering several potential candidates, Macron struggled to find a prime minister who could garner sufficient support to ensure a stable government.It remains uncertain whether Barnier’s government will be able to pass reforms through a divided parliament, according to Reuters.
Born on January 9, 1951 in La Tronche, a suburb of the French Alpine city of Grenoble, Barnier was elected to parliament at age of 27, representing the Gaullist, centre-right Savoie district. He then served at various cabinet positions, including environment minister, France’s Europe minister, foreign minister, throughout his political career before being named EU’s Brexit negotiator in 2016 after Britain’s referendum on leaving the bloc.
Barnier, known for his strong pro-European stance, adopted a tougher stance on immigration during his unsuccessful bid for the conservative party’s presidential nomination in 2021. This view aligns with that of the RN. Macron’s decision to call the snap parliamentary election in June backfired, resulting in his centrist coalition losing numerous seats and no party securing an absolute majority.
The left’s New Popular Front alliance emerged as the leading force, but Macron declined to ask them to form a government after other parties declared they would promptly vote it down. Instead, he took several weeks to make his decision. Even if the political deadlock persists, Macron will be unable to call another snap election until July of the following year.
Meanwhile, the RN has stated that its support for Barnier will depend on his stance on immigration and his willingness to reform France’s voting system. RN lawmaker Sebastien Chenu said the party would await Barnier’s statements on these issues, while another RN lawmaker, Laurent Jacobelli, emphasized the importance of dissolving parliament as soon as possible, ideally in early July. Jacobelli also stressed the RN’s desire for a prime minister who is committed to establishing proportional representation for parliamentary elections. Despite these conditions, the RN expressed limited enthusiasm for Barnier’s appointment, with Jacobelli remarking, “They are taking out of mothballs those who have governed France for 40 years.”
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