Emmanuel Macron appoints Michel Barnier as French Prime Minister

BREAKUP |

Michel Barnier said that he "I was not surprised" when Boris Johnson tried to use "the madman's strategy" during Brexit negotiations. Photo: John Overs — Michel Barnier said he was “not surprised” when Boris Johnson tried to use “the madman strategy” during Brexit negotiations. Photo: John Overs

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday named Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government, hoping to end weeks of political deadlock after calling snap elections that left parliament without an absolute majority.

Barnier will face the daunting challenge of trying to push through the reforms and the 2025 budget in a parliament without an absolute majority, at a time when France is under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.

Today’s news in 90 seconds – September 5, 2024

Macron’s gamble to call early legislative elections in June backfired, with his centrist coalition losing dozens of seats and no party winning an absolute majority.

The left-wing New Popular Front alliance came out on top, but Macron ruled out asking it to form a government after other parties said they would immediately vote against it.

To be continued