President Emmanuel Macron named conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister earlier this month. /Stephane De Sakutin/Reuters
France has announced its long-awaited government, fusing conservatives and centrists in a bid to end political deadlock. Prime Minister Michel Barnier, appointed earlier this month by President Emmanuel Macron, assembled the new cabinet after two months of negotiations following divisive snap elections.
A Cabinet of Conservatives and Centrists
The new government is seen as a delicate balance between centrists and right-wingers, with Barnier aiming to stabilize the country's fragmented political landscape. The conservative Republicans, led by Barnier, secured key positions in the 39-member cabinet, despite their poor performance in the recent elections. One of the biggest wins for the party was the appointment of Bruno Retailleau, a staunch conservative, as interior minister, overseeing crucial issues like national security and immigration.
Meanwhile, President Macron's centrist allies maintained significant roles, including the appointment of Jean-Noël Barrot as foreign minister. Barrot, known for his expertise in European affairs and digital transformation, is expected to lead France's global diplomacy at a time when the country plays a critical role in EU policy and international relations.
Finance Leadership Under Pressure
A key focus for the new government will be addressing France's growing fiscal challenges. The finance ministry was given to Antoine Armand, a relatively unknown 33-year-old from Macron's party. Armand now faces the daunting task of preparing France's next budget amid rising pressure from Brussels to rein in the country's soaring debt. He will work alongside Laurent Saint-Martin, the new budget minister, in efforts to contain the country's spiraling deficit.
Armand acknowledged the difficulty ahead, telling the Journal du Dimanche, "We must cut public spending and make it more efficient. If the solution was to raise taxes, France would have long been the world's top superpower."
Marine Le Pen's far-right party National Rally has no seats in Barnier's government, but has enough votes in parliament to bring it down. /Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Challenges from the Left and Right
Despite Barnier's success in forming the new government, political challenges remain. The far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, holds significant power in parliament and could bring the government down if its demands on immigration and security issues are not met. Although RN did not secure any cabinet positions, their influence is evident in the appointment of conservative Retailleau to the interior ministry.
On the left, opposition groups have fiercely criticized the government's composition. The left-wing New Popular Front alliance, which won the most seats in the June-July elections but failed to form a majority, continues to oppose the new government. Hard-left leader Mathilde Panot expressed her frustration, saying, "I'm angry to see a government that looks set to recycle all the election losers."
Barnier's leadership will soon be tested, as he prepares to deliver his first general policy speech to the National Assembly on October 1. With political divisions deepening, his ability to govern effectively in a hung parliament will depend on his capacity to maneuver through France's fractured political environment.
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