Macron appoints Barnier as France’s new prime minister

President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister on Thursday. Barnier, a 73-year-old veteran conservative and former Brexit negotiator, succeeds Gabriel Attal, who at 34 was France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. Attal served for just eight months.

Barnier’s appointment follows over 50 days of a caretaker government. His task is to navigate France’s deeply divided parliament, a result of the early legislative election called by Macron in June.

At a ceremony with Attal, Barnier stressed the importance of “lots of listening, lots of respect” in his new role. Without a majority, he will need to form ad hoc alliances in the National Assembly to address pressing issues, including the 2025 budget.

Macron and his team spent weeks seeking a candidate capable of surviving the fractured political landscape. Barnier, proud of his humble roots in Haute-Savoie, France, has a history of handling complex negotiations, having been the EU’s chief negotiator during Brexit. However, he may face attempts to topple his government in parliament.

Macron’s political opponents on the left criticised Barnier’s appointment, viewing it as a snub to their voters. The July 7 election weakened Macron’s centrist government, resulting in no clear majority.

By choosing Barnier, Macron aims to break the deadlock. A statement from Macron’s office described Barnier’s task as forming a unifying government to serve France.

Political analyst Christophe Boutin noted that Barnier would likely seek a broad coalition, but would need to avoid the extremes of French politics. Michel Barnier’s extensive political career includes roles in foreign and European affairs, environment, and agriculture, and two terms as a European commissioner. Yet, his long tenure could lead to criticism that Macron is not delivering the deep change some voters desire.

Macron kept Attal and his ministers in a caretaker capacity to avoid overshadowing the upcoming Paris Olympics. Attal resigned on July 16 following the legislative defeat. Influential far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon quickly opposed Barnier’s appointment, predicting it would not gain majority support in parliament.

Melenchon claimed the election results were disregarded, leaving parliament split between three main blocs: the left, Macron’s centrist base, and the far right led by Marine Le Pen.

Le Pen expressed willingness to give Barnier a chance but stated her National Rally party would not join his government. She emphasised the importance of the 2025 budget, which Barnier’s government must deliver under EU pressure to manage France’s debt.

Barnier is known to be respectful of other political forces, a crucial trait for reaching necessary compromises given France’s financial challenges.