French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister, following a political stalemate that arose after France’s recent snap elections.
Barnier, 73, is widely recognized for his role as the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, having led discussions with the UK from 2016 to 2019. As a long-standing member of the right-wing Republicans party, he boasts a robust political background with a history of holding significant roles both nationally and within the European framework.
He now faces the challenge of establishing a government amidst a National Assembly fragmented into three major political factions, none of which hold a decisive majority.
Three years ago, Barnier aspired to challenge Macron for the presidency, advocating for immigration control; however, he did not secure his party’s nomination. With this appointment, he becomes the oldest Prime Minister of France since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.
Barnier takes over from Gabriel Attal, who became the country’s youngest Prime Minister in early 2024 and has been serving as caretaker since July.
The selection of Barnier has sparked frustration among the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), which emerged with the most seats in the July elections. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical France Unbowed party—an influential faction within the NFP—criticized the move, alleging that the election had been “stolen from the French people.”
Mélenchon expressed discontent that the Prime Minister was chosen from a party that finished last in the election and labeled the new government a “Macron-Le Pen government,” referencing the leader of the far-right National Rally. He has called for a left-wing protest against Macron’s decision, scheduled for Saturday.
