In a move that has further exacerbated the political turmoil gripping France, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, a veteran right-wing politician and the European Union's former top Brexit negotiator, as the country's new Prime Minister. This appointment, made on Thursday, is an audacious attempt to break the political deadlock that has persisted since the inconclusive parliamentary elections held almost two months prior.
The French presidency issued a statement proclaiming that President Macron had entrusted Mr Barnier with the critical task of forming a unity government, a government designed to serve the nation and its people. However, this declaration has sparked a tempest of controversy and ignited widespread criticism against President Macron. The president's critics argue that his protracted delay in naming a Prime Minister has only compounded the nation's political instability. Weeks of intense consultations with political leaders, which often saw a revolving door of potential candidates, have created a climate of uncertainty and fueled public frustration.
“This appointment comes after an unprecedented cycle of consultations during which, in line with his constitutional duty, the president sought to ensure that the prime minister and the government would be as stable as possible and give themselves the chance to rally the widest possible support,” the statement from the presidency said.
Navigating a Fractured Political Landscape
The appointment of Mr. Barnier, a member of The Republicans, France's main conservative party, has ignited significant resentment among the New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties that emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections, capturing the most seats (193) in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. The New Popular Front had put forward their own candidate for Prime Minister, Lucie Castets, a relatively unknown civil servant, but her candidacy was summarily dismissed by President Macron.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the founder of the hard-left France Unbowed party, a key member of the New Popular Front, vehemently denounced President Macron's decision, accusing him of stealing the election. In a televised address, Mr. Mélenchon declared, "We do not believe for one moment that a majority will be found in the National Assembly to accept such a denial of democracy."
The Struggle for a Stable Majority
The current political landscape in France is one of fragmentation and instability. Neither the New Popular Front nor any other party or coalition holds the absolute majority of the 289 seats required to govern effectively. This political deadlock has left France without a clear governing coalition, leaving the country vulnerable to political paralysis. No-confidence votes against Mr. Barnier's government are widely anticipated once Parliament formally convenes and Mr. Barnier presents his policy platform.
The duration of France's current political impasse is unprecedented. For over 50 days, France has operated without an active government, a situation that is unprecedented in the 66-year history of the Fifth Republic. This political paralysis traces its roots to July 16, when Gabriel Attal, the former Prime Minister, resigned his post. Although Mr. Attal remained in a caretaker capacity, he was effectively incapacitated in terms of making significant decisions.
A Skilled Negotiator Faces a Herculean Task
Mr Barnier is widely recognized in France for his adept negotiation skills. His successful brokering of a Brexit agreement with the United Kingdom is a testament to his diplomatic acumen. However, the task before him in France is significantly more complex. The political landscape is fractured and riddled with mistrust. The centrist alliance led by Mr. Macron's party suffered losses in the parliamentary elections, leaving them with a mere 166 seats. The far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, gained considerable ground, now controlling 142 seats alongside its allies.
France's political impasse: A Complex Dance with Political Rivals
President Macron's decision to appoint Mr. Barnier has forced him into an intricate dance with his political rivals. Despite his previous rejection of the National Rally party as being incompatible with France's democratic values, President Macron has found himself engaged in daily negotiations with Ms Le Pen. He is seeking her party's support for a centre-right candidate, hoping to secure a fragile alliance to stave off a no-confidence vote. In effect, Ms Le Pen has held what appears to be a veto over the process of selecting a Prime Minister.
President Macron's decision to reject the left, despite their electoral victory, leaves him with few options. Only the acquiescence of the National Rally party can shield a center-right candidate like Mr. Barnier from immediate defeat in a no-confidence vote. Ms. Le Pen has stated that her party's preference is for a Prime Minister who is respectful of the voters who support the National Rally. Ms. Le Pen has publicly expressed her belief that Mr. Barnier fulfills this criterion, but has indicated that her party will carefully assess Mr. Barnier's policy speech and his approach to compromise on matters such as the upcoming budget.
The New Popular Front, encompassing France Unbowed, the Socialist Party, the Greens, and the Communist Party, has unequivocally stated its rejection of Mr. Barnier's government. Olivier Faure, the leader of the Socialist Party, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to declare that "the denial of democracy has reached its peak" and that France is "entering a regime crisis." The left has called for a large-scale demonstration against President Macron in Paris on Saturday.
The political landscape in France is fraught with challenges. The country is facing a looming budget deadline, with lawmakers warning that failing to pass a budget by the year's end could exacerbate France's ballooning debt and deficit, which are among the largest within the eurozone. Mr. Barnier will be tasked with reassuring Brussels that France can regain control of its finances, particularly after the country was reprimanded for violating European Union rules that mandate strict financial discipline.
Barnier's Legacy and the Future of "Macronism"
Mr Barnier, a native of the Savoie region in the French Alps, began his political career in 1978 when he was first elected to Parliament. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he held various ministerial positions within right-wing governments, assuming responsibility for portfolios such as the environment, European affairs, foreign affairs, and agriculture. He further extended his career to the European level, serving as a European Union commissioner and, from 2016 to 2021, the bloc's chief negotiator during the complex Brexit negotiations. Although he ran unsuccessfully for the presidential candidacy of The Republicans in 2022, Mr Barnier had largely distanced himself from the daily machinations of French politics in recent years.
Appointing the Prime Minister, who assumes the day-to-day responsibility of governing the country, is a prerogative vested in the French president. While no constitutional deadline exists for this appointment, it typically occurs within days or, at most, weeks following a parliamentary election. President Macron's decision to delay this appointment stemmed from his determination to achieve political stability and safeguard his key economic policies, such as raising the legal retirement age to 64 from 62.
The left has vehemently vowed to undo this and other changes that President Macron maintains have enhanced the competitiveness of the French economy, including lower corporate taxes. President Macron's political opponents argue that he had a democratic obligation, after his party's defeat in the elections, to allow Parliament to engage in debate and reach decisions on these crucial issues. However, President Macron's decision ultimately reflected his distrust of the left and his reluctance to acquiesce to the demands of the far right. His highly personal approach to the appointment has further solidified his image as a distant figure, one who primarily relies on his own judgment.
During the extended period leading up to Mr Barnier's appointment, Édouard Philippe, a popular centre-right politician and one of President Macron's former Prime Ministers, announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. This election will determine the successor to President Macron, who is limited by term constraints from seeking reelection. The era of "Macronism" - a centrist approach characterized by shifting policies and a lack of a cohesive political party, aimed at marginalizing traditional right and left-wing forces - appears to be nearing its end.
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