Conservative Michel Barnier, former minister and former European Commissionerwas appointed Prime Minister of France this Thursday by President Emmanuel Macron, as announced by the Elysée.
Barnier, who was also the European Union’s Brexit negotiator, is now tasked with forming a new government, in the hope of ending Brexit. weeks of political impasse after calling early parliamentary elections which resulted in a parliament without an absolute majority.
Barnier will face the enormous challenge of trying to push the reforms and the 2025 budget through a hung parliament, at a time when France is under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.
Macron’s attempt to call early parliamentary elections in June failed, with his centrist coalition losing dozens of seats and no party winning an absolute majority.
The left-wing New Popular Front alliance was the first, but Macron ruled out asking them to form a government after other parties said they would immediately vote against it.
