Brexit negotiator appointed French PM – but has he been set up to fail?
Michel Barnier has been appointed as the new French Prime Minister, almost two months after France’s snap elections ended in political deadlock.
Former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been appointed Prime Minister of France, nearly two months after the election.
It’s a top job – just one step below president – but has he been set up to fail?
Michel Barnier has plenty of experience.
As well as the Brexit negotiator, he was previously French Foreign Minister, a farming minister and an EU commissioner.
But he’s a member of the French centre-right Republican party.
And in the national election back in June, although no party won a majority, it was the centre-left coalition, the New Popular Front, who came first. Macron’s centrists came second and the Far-Right came in third place.
The President delayed appointing a new Prime Minister whilst Paris hosted the Summer Olympics. And because it has proven difficult to find a candidate rivals could agree on.
That means Michel Barnier – who is not from any of the largest parties – is going to have a tough time. He will need to find a majority in the Assemblée Nationale if the new government is going to survive.
But this is a man used to making compromises after four and a half years negotiating Brexit with the Brits.
The Far Right say they will judge him on his actions in parliament.
“We will judge his general policy statement, his budgetary decisions and his actions on the evidence. We will plead for the major emergencies of the French, purchasing power, security, immigration, to finally be addressed and we reserve all political means of action if this is not the case in the coming weeks”, tweeted National Rally leader, Jordan Bardella.
But some Macron allies and socialists are already calling the appointment “undemocratic.” Green MP Sandrine Rousseau accused the president of “transforming democracy into a great big puppet show.”
Abroad, there has been warm congratulations for Michel Barnier, who is well liked, especially in Brussels.
Ireland’s former Tánaiste (deputy Prime Minister), tweeted that Mr Barnier has been “asked to do a very difficult job but has the experience and ability to do it well…Ireland now has a great friend as French Prime Minister.”
As the new prime minister, Michel Barnier will face his first test within days when he has to choose who will make up his new government, and from what parties they will come from.
Aged 73, he’s the oldest prime minister in France’s modern political history, taking over from Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest, at 35.