Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier was today announced as France’s new Prime Minister almost two months after France’s snap elections ended in political deadlock.
The 73-year-old is now faced with the mammoth task of forming a government that will need to survive a National Assembly divided into three big political blocs – with none able to form a clear majority.
WHO IS THE NEW FRANCE’S PRIME MINISTER?
Following the recent political stalemate, President Emmanuel Macron has called on Mr Barnier to take on the esteemed role, despite him not being a serving elected MP.
The Brexit hardliner now faces an immediate vote of no confidence because of his apparent lack of democratic legitimacy.
An official at Matignon, the prime minister’s official residence in Paris, said on Thursday afternoon: ‘Michel Barnier has been named prime minister by President Macron.’
But his appointment has already angered politicians on the left, who maintain that the head of government should reflect French voters’ clear preference for the leftist New Popular Front.
The appointment means that Mr Barnier will become the oldest prime minister in the history of the 5th Republic – taking over from the youngest PM, Gabriel Attal, who is 35.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?
Since the announcement, Macron appears to be counting on the far-right National Rally of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen not to block the appointment of Barnier.
RN party leader Jordan Bardella said Barnier would be judged ‘on evidence’ when he addresses parliament.
Greens leader Marine Tondelier countered: ‘We know in the end who decides. Her name is Marine Le Pen. She is the one to whom Macron has decided to submit.’
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Barnier was last in parliament in 1993, and is currently a member of The Republicans (LR) party – the current name for the Gaullist conservatives, who are in opposition.
Pressure has been building on President Macron to appoint a prime minister after a coalition led by his Renaissance party came second in a snap election in early July.
It was won by the Popular Front – a Leftist coalition specifically aimed at keeping the far-Right National Rally party from gaining power.
Mr Barnier did not emerge as a serious candidate to run a new French government until Thursday, when he was seen at the Elysee Palace.
