French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday unveiled a new government that will be dominated by conservatives and centrists. It will be led by the newly elected prime minister, Michel Barnier. This comes more than two months after snap elections that produced a hung parliament.
According to an AFP report, as France grapples with growing financial challenges, the first major task for Barnier is to submit a 2025 budget plan addressing France’s financial situation. Barnier, a conservative, is best known internationally for leading the European Union’s Brexit negotiations with the UK.
Earlier this month, Macron named Barnier as the prime minister, despite his Republicans party’s underwhelming performance in the recent election. Barnier faced challenging negotiations in selecting his government but his choices were approved by the President. The announcement of the new government was made at the presidential palace.
Meanwhile, the Opposition politicians from the Left have said they will challenge the cabinet with a no-confidence motion, as per AFP. During the July election, a Leftwing bloc called the New Popular Front (NFP) secured the most parliamentary seats even though it fell short of obtaining an overall majority. Macron argued that the Left would be unable to muster enough support to form a government that would not immediately be brought down in parliament.
He turned to Barnier to lead a government drawing mostly on parliamentary support from Macron’s allies, as well as from the conservative Republicans (LR) and the centrist groups.
The makeup and direction of France’s government is important because the country is a leading voice in EU policy, among the biggest world’s economies, and a nuclear-armed, veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council.
The 39-member Cabinet primarily includes ministers from Macron’s centrist alliance and the conservative Republicans.
Jean-Noel Barrot, the new foreign minister, is a centrist politician known for his work in digital transformation and European affairs. He brings extensive experience in navigating complex international issues notably within the EU.
Sebastien Lecornu retains his post as defence minister. He has been instrumental in bolstering France’s military capabilities, including modernising defence systems and managing military aid to Ukraine. His leadership in defence will be crucial as France navigates its role within NATO and handles rising geopolitical tensions over the wars in Ukraine and the Mideast.
The Financial Times reported that Bruno Retailleau, a "conservative senator from Barnier’s party known for his hard line on immigration and harsh criticism of Macron", has been picked as interior minister. The portfolio oversees immigration, among other subjects.
The first major political test for Barnier, 73, will come on October 1, when he is set to deliver his general policy speech to the National Assembly.