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French President Emmanuel Macron (left) shakes hands with then-European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Friday, January 31, 2020.Ludovic Marin/The Associated Press
The French presidential palace unveiled a long-awaited new government dominated by conservatives and centrists on Saturday, more than two months after elections that left parliament without a clear majority and deepened political divisions as France grapples with growing financial and diplomatic challenges.
In the parliamentary elections in June and July, a left-wing coalition secured most of the seats but was unable to gain a majority. Student groups and activists from the far-right party “La France Inségoire” protested across the country on Saturday against a government that they believe is ignoring the will of the voters.
President Emmanuel Macron appointed conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister earlier this month, despite Barnier’s Republican Party’s poor performance in elections. Barnier put together the government after difficult negotiations. Macron agreed and the appointment was announced at the presidential palace.
Marine Le Pen’s far-right, anti-immigration Rassemblement National party has no seat in Barnier’s government but has enough votes in parliament to topple it. The party won an indirect victory by appointing staunch conservative Bruno Retailleau as the new interior minister, whose remit includes critical domestic issues such as national security, immigration and law enforcement.
The composition and direction of the French government are important because the country plays a leading role in EU policy, is one of the largest economies in the world and has a nuclear power and a veto right in the UN Security Council.
The 39-member cabinet mainly includes ministers from Macron’s centrist alliance and the conservative Republicans.
The new Foreign Minister is Jean-Noël Barrot, a centrist politician known for his work on digital transformation and European affairs. He brings extensive experience in dealing with complex international issues, particularly within the EU.
The new finance minister is Antoine Armand, an up-and-coming figure in French politics. He is now tasked with steering French fiscal policy and managing the upcoming budget for 2025. There is pressure from Brussels to address France’s growing debt.
Sébastien Lecornu remains Minister of Defence. He has been instrumental in strengthening French military capabilities, including modernising defence systems and managing military aid to Ukraine. His leadership in defence will be crucial as France plays its role within NATO and deals with the increasing geopolitical tensions linked to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Barnier’s ability to govern effectively is already under scrutiny, with his political opponents on the left vowing to challenge him at every turn and the far right declaring it will closely monitor the government.
The left-wing New Popular Front alliance surprised many by winning the most seats in the risky new elections called by Macron after the far-right’s victory in the European elections.
However, the New Popular Front was not given a chance to form a minority government and refused to make concessions and join a more left-wing coalition government.
Barnier, a 73-year-old political veteran known as the European Union’s Brexit negotiator, is no stranger to complex political tasks, but forming a government that can hold its own in such a divided parliament will test his extensive experience and political acumen.
Barnier’s first major political test will take place on October 1, when he is due to deliver his keynote speech to the National Assembly.
(This is an unedited, auto-generated story from a syndicated news feed. Cityjournal – Your Regional Magazine staff may not have modified or edited the content text.)
