Michel Barnier Tapped to Lead Through Turbulent Times
In a move following months of political gridlock, French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new prime minister. Barnier, 73, is well known as the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator and a veteran member of the right-wing Republicans (LR) party.
Barnier, with a long career in both French and EU politics, now faces the challenging task of forming a government within a fractured National Assembly. France’s legislature is divided into three major political blocs, with none holding a clear majority after July’s snap elections.
The announcement has sparked outrage among left-wing parties. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical France Unbowed (LFI) party, part of the New Popular Front (NFP) coalition, accused Macron of “stealing” the election from the French people. Despite the NFP winning the most seats in the election, Mélenchon criticized Barnier’s appointment, calling the new government a “Macron-Le Pen” alliance, referencing the far-right National Rally leader.
Barnier will replace Gabriel Attal, the youngest prime minister in French history, who had been acting as a caretaker since July. Banier now holds the title of France’s oldest prime minister since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.
A left-wing protest against Macron’s decision is planned for Saturday.
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