Former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been appointed as the new French prime minister following weeks of political deadlock.
Mr Barnier, who negotiated Britain’s departure from the European Union between 2016 and 2019, has been tasked with forming a new government by French president Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Macron has spent weeks trying to find a compromise candidate for his minority government that would not be blocked by the powerful left-wing alliance in parliament or the hard right National Rally (RN).
The 73-year-old is seen as being more acceptable to Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and the moderate wing of the Socialist Party, the junior partner of the left-wing New Popular Front.
However, hard-left France Unbowed leaderJean Luc Melenchon slammed the appointment and said the new executive was “practically a government of Macron along with Marine le Pen”.
Mr Barnier will be faced with the daunting challenge of trying to push through reforms and the 2025 budget through a hung parliament.
Mr Barnier was known as a tough negotiator during Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. His appointment is likely to rile pro-Brexit groups in the UK.
He is a staunch pro-European and a career, moderate politician, but he toughened his discourse during his 2021 failed bid and said immigration was out of control.
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