After more than two months of political gridlock, French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a new government on Saturday, ending 11 weeks of uncertainty following a divisive parliamentary election that left France with a hung parliament.
Conservative Michel Barnier has been named as the new prime minister. The announcement comes as France braces for a critical 2025 budget plan, which Barnier described as addressing a “very serious” financial situation, according to a report from Al Jazeera.
The newly formed 38-member cabinet features a mix of Macron’s centrist allies and conservative Republicans (LR), signaling an attempt to bridge political divides.
Among the top appointments is 33-year-old Antoine Armand, who will take on the daunting role of finance minister. Armand previously chaired parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee and is expected to play a key role in pushing through the upcoming budget plan next month.
Foreign policy will be handled by Jean-Noel Barrot. Meanwhile, Macron’s close ally Sebastien Lecornu will retain his position as defense minister.
Bruno Retailleau, a staunch conservative, has been named interior minister and will be responsible for critical domestic issues, including national security and immigration.
Barnier’s government is already under scrutiny, with opposition forces promising fierce resistance. On Saturday, left-wing groups, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party, took to the streets of Paris and Marseille in protest.
Demonstrators argued that the new government does not reflect the outcome of the July parliamentary elections, where a left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front (NFP), secured the most seats but fell short of a majority.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, which gained significant ground in the last election, has indicated it will be closely watching the new government’s moves. While Le Pen’s party has the numbers to potentially bring down Barnier’s administration, they have expressed a willingness to collaborate on key issues like the national budget.
Macron’s decision to appoint Barnier, a 73-year-old veteran politician, reflects his strategy of balancing conservative and centrist support while relying on a neutral stance from the far right. Despite left-wing protests, Macron has argued that their bloc lacks the votes to sustain a government that wouldn’t collapse under parliamentary pressure.