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full screen French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Archive image. Photo: Michel Euler/AP/TT
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is trying to end months of political deadlock by putting forward a proposal for a new government.
EU and Brexit veteran Barnier’s proposal does not appear to contain any major surprises or big names – but, according to information to AFP, appears to lean to the right, compared to the previous center government.
The Minister for European Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot is proposed to become Foreign Minister, according to an anonymous source who is close to President Emmanuel Macron’s faction.
Bruno Retailleau, group leader of the right-wing Republicans in the Senate, is proposed to take over the Interior Department, according to sources who spoke to AFP. Being in charge of the Department of the Interior – as police and homeland security – would be seen as a great success for the right.
One key person who is said to remain in his position is Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who is said to have a close relationship with Macron.
Barnier was at the Elysée Palace late Thursday to discuss the nominations with the president. It is still unclear when the list will be made public, but probably on Friday.
After the appointment of Barnier as prime minister, the far left collapsed as the left alliance NFP became the largest in the summer elections.