In a simple communiqué from the Élysée Palace, the President of the Republic appointed Michel Barnier Prime Minister. He entrusted him with the task of forming a united government to serve the country and the French people.
End of suspense after 52 days of prevarication. Emmanuel Macron has finally appointed Michel Barnier, 73, to the Hôtel de Matignon.
Michel Barnier is an old hand at politics. Born in La Tronche (Isère), a native of Savoie, this staunch Gaullist became involved in regional politics at an early age, before being elected to the French parliament in 1978. He was successively a member of the UDR, the RPR, the UMP and finally the LR.
He has held several ministerial posts (Environment, European Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture) Barnier is also a convinced European. He was twice European Commissioner and was the, from 2016, the main Brexit negotiator.
“Macron has not governed our country well”
Les Républicains candidate for the 2021 presidential election primary, Michel Barnier came third with 23.9%. At the time, he was speaking ill of the President of the Republic. Our country has not been well governed,” he said at the time. Emmanuel Macron has governed our country, both internally and externally, in a solitary and arrogant manner”.
Eagerly awaited
We’ll see how Michel Barnier governs, and we’ll soon know the composition of his government. Clearly, the new tenant of the Hôtel de Matignon is not the emanation of the largest political party or coalition in the hemicycle. He’s a liberal, a Europeanist, in short, a Macron clone whom everyone is waiting to see. Not only the political parties, but also the nation’s driving forces, business leaders, trade unions and all those who reject Macron and his leader.
Good luck, Mr Barnier!
The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Michel BARNIER as Prime Minister. He has tasked him with forming a unifying government to serve the country and the French people. pic.twitter.com/beWhuEh42L
— Elysee (@Elysee) September 5, 2024
“Our country has not been well governed. The failure of the outgoing President is clear. Emmanuel Macron has governed our country, internally and externally, in a solitary and arrogant manner.” Michel Barnier. (LR Primary, November 2021) #PrimeMinister pic.twitter.com/vK3BxIRCU1
— Paul Larrouturou (@PaulLarrouturou) September 5, 2024
Covid-19. Michel Barnier in favor of compulsory vaccination “for everyone” 07/11/2021 https://t.co/iC7juraYfE
— VERITY France (@verity_france) September 5, 2024