After months of political uncertainty following a snap legislative election, France seemed poised to form a new government on Thursday, with Prime Minister Michel Barnier set to present his cabinet to President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron appointed Barnier, the former European Union Brexit negotiator, as prime minister two weeks ago. Barnier has faced difficulties in assembling a new government, highlighting the complex political landscape in France after Macron's decision to call a snap legislative election. The early July vote resulted in a fragmented parliament, making political unity challenging and leaving France under a caretaker government. It now falls to Macron to approve Barnier's cabinet.
BFM TV reported that Barnier proposed conservative Senator Bruno Retailleau as interior minister, while Jean-Noel Barrot would be promoted to foreign minister, having previously held the European affairs post. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu would retain his position, according to BFM TV, and 33-year-old lawmaker Antoine Armand would take on a senior role in the finance and economy ministry. The government's priorities will include enhancing public purchasing power, ensuring security, managing immigration, and improving public finances, according to Barnier's office.
Compiling a list of names for France's key state offices has been arduous, especially as the next government may need to implement politically unpopular spending cuts or tax increases to address the country's fiscal issues. Barnier must navigate carefully to avoid provoking opposition parties that could unite and bring down his government with a no-confidence motion.
"The prime minister will need to learn how to engage with an assembly that resembles a cauldron of various sensibilities and temperaments to build a majority," EuroIntelligence noted in a report.
