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Michel Barnier: France's New Prime Minister

Michel Barnier, the EU's former Brexit negotiator, has been appointed as France's new Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron. Barnier, who has served as French Foreign, European Affairs, Environment, and Agriculture Minister, has a political background spanning over 50 years.

Appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister

Emmanuel Macron named Michel Barnier as France's new Prime Minister on September 5, 2024
Barnier, 73, replaces Gabriel Attal, who resigned on July 16 following inconclusive legislative elections
Appointment ends a 50-day period of caretaker government
Barnier is known as "Monsieur Brexit" for his role as EU's chief Brexit negotiator
He becomes France's oldest prime minister since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958

Political Context and Challenges

June 2024 snap elections resulted in a divided and hung parliament
Three main political blocs emerged: the left, Macron's centrists, and the far right
No clear majority in the National Assembly
Macron delayed PM appointment until after the Paris Olympics (July 26-August 11, 2024)
Opposition, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, claims the "election has been stolen"
Barnier faces the challenge of building loose groupings of backers in parliament
Immediate task: form a government that can survive potential no-confidence votes

Michel Barnier's Background and Experience

Extensive political career spanning over 50 years
Served as French Foreign, European Affairs, Environment, and Agriculture Minister
Twice held the position of European Commissioner
Led Brexit negotiations for the EU from 2016 to 2019
Known for his humble roots in France's Alpine region of Haute-Savoie
Failed bid to become the Republican party's presidential candidate in 2021

The Road Ahead for Barnier and Macron

Barnier must form a unifying government "in the service of the country and the French people"
Key challenge: steering the 2025 budget through parliament by October 1, 2024
Need to navigate diverse political landscape to form a functional cabinet
Broader objective: unite a politically divided France
Barnier pledged to respect and listen to all political forces
Promised to address challenges, anger, and sense of abandonment in towns and countryside
Committed to being truthful about financial and environmental challenges facing France

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