French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, the former chief Brexit negotiator, as the new Prime Minister of France. This announcement, made by the Elysee Palace on Thursday, marks a significant moment in French politics, as Barnier’s appointment aims to bring stability to a country recently marked by political turmoil.
The Elysee Palace described the appointment as a result of extensive consultations, emphasizing that Macron sought to ensure that Barnier and his government would operate under stable conditions and have the ability to unite various political factions.
This decision follows a period of uncertainty in French politics, following a summer of snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament.
Barnier, who led the Brexit task force from 2016, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before his work on Brexit, he served four times as a cabinet minister and twice as a European commissioner.
Despite his notable career in Brussels, Barnier is less known within France, where he is recognized as a conservative figure from the Les Republicains party.
The challenge facing Barnier will be significant. He must now navigate the complexities of forming a government in a deeply divided French legislature. The recent elections led to a fragmented parliament, with the pan-left New Popular Front winning the most seats but not securing a majority.
Macron had previously rejected the prime ministerial candidate from this alliance, Lucie Castets, due to concerns about her suitability for leading the country.
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