French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as France’s new Prime Minister amidst a political landscape marked by division. Barnier, known for his right-leaning stance within the Republican Party, faces the critical task of securing support from both sides of the Parliament to form a stable government after recent elections resulted in a hung Parliament. The far-right National Rally, now a significant force in Parliament, expressed openness towards Barnier’s leadership, highlighting his twin focus on budget reduction and potentially appealing to far-right policies. Meanwhile, the appointment has sparked criticism from the left, particularly from the influential far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who described the election outcome as being disregarded.
- Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, has been named the new French Prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron.
- Barnier comes from the right of French politics and is a veteran of the Republican Party.
- The appointment follows a period of deadlock, with recent elections resulting in a hung Parliament.
- The far-right National Rally has not dismissed Barnier and has expressed a willingness to consider supporting him based on his policy speech and actions.
- Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized Barnier’s appointment, suggesting the election’s outcome was ignored.
- Barnier is perceived as Macron-compatible, given his moderate right-wing stance and unlikely intention to undo Macron’s previous reforms.
- The main challenge for Barnier is securing the support of Parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence.
- His ability to negotiate and form a government that appeals across the political spectrum, including potentially the far right, is crucial for stability.
- The left’s reaction to Barnier’s appointment indicates a significant division, with some viewing it as a denial of the election results favoring a left-wing block.
- Barnier’s European experience and stance on issues like immigration and budget control are seen as factors that could sway both moderate and far-right support.
- His appointment is seen as a strategic move by Macron to navigate France’s divided political landscape and address challenges like budget deficits and EU relations.
France 24 is an international television network and news website owned by the French state.
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This summary has been generated by AI.
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