PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday appointed Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former chief Brexit negotiator, as the new Prime Minister and tasked him with forming a new government.
Macron is hoping to end weeks of political deadlock after he called a snap election that delivered an unwieldy hung parliament.
The French parliamentary elections in June resulted in a hung parliament, with Macron’s centrist coalition failing to secure an absolute majority. The leftist New Popular Front alliance emerged as the largest single bloc, but Macron ruled out the possibility of them leading the government after it became clear that other parties would not support their agenda.
Barnier’s expertise in navigating high-stakes discussions will be critical as he seeks to push through key reforms and the 2025 budget.
The French government is under significant pressure from the European Commission and international bond markets to reduce its budget deficit, adding to the urgency of Barnier’s mission. The current economic climate demands decisive action to address fiscal challenges while balancing the interests of a divided parliament.
Macron’s decision to call a snap election in June was a strategic gamble that did not yield the expected results. His centrist coalition lost several seats, and the subsequent hung parliament has made it difficult to form a stable government.
The New Popular Front, led by the left, emerged as the largest bloc but was unable to secure sufficient support to lead the government.
