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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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