Macron names Michel Barnier as new French prime minister
Macron’s Thursday announcement ends two months of increasing pressure from all political group to nominate a candidate after a second round of snap parliamentary elections.
Barnier will now have to survive a no-confidence vote in the hung national assembly.
The current assembly is divided into three blocs: the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP), Macron’s centrist group, and the far-right National Rally.
None of the parties hold a majority which made the task of choosing a prime minister that would be widely appealing quite tricky for Macron.
The Élysée Palace issued a statement confirming Barnier’s appointment.
“He has to form a united government to serve the country and the French people,” the statement said.
The statement added that Barnier’s appointment comes after “an unprecedented cycle of consultations” to ensure a stable government.
The new prime minister is a member of the Republicans party which represents the traditional right.
Barnier is also the European Union’s (EU) former chief Brexit negotiator and led talks with the UK government between 2016 and 2019.
The former EU official previously served in four cabinet positions, including as minister of the environment, minister of state for European affairs, minister of foreign affairs, and minister of agriculture and fisheries.
The 73-year-old who replaces Gabriel Attal as the youngest prime minister at 34, has made history himself as the country’s oldest prime minister.
