PARIS. French President Emmanuel Macron has named Michel Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, as the new prime minister of France. The appointment comes in a bid to resolve two months of political gridlock following a snap parliamentary election that left the country with a hung parliament.

In his official statement, Macron emphasized Barnier’s mission, stating that he had tasked him with forming “a unifying government in the service of the country.” The president’s decision follows the June election, which created a deeply fractured political landscape, with no party able to secure an outright majority.

The election results positioned a left-wing coalition as the largest political force in the national assembly. However, their 151 seats fell short of the 289 needed for an absolute majority. Macron’s centrist faction and the far-right National Rally party make up the other major groups, while Barnier’s conservative Les Républicains came in fourth with 47 seats.

Replacing Gabriel Attal

Barnier succeeds Gabriel Attal, who resigned as prime minister on July 16 following the election. Attal had remained in office as a caretaker until Macron’s new appointment was finalized. Barnier’s selection as prime minister marks a pivotal moment in Macron’s efforts to navigate the fractured political terrain and establish stability.

However, Barnier’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, said her party’s support for Barnier would hinge on his policy agenda. Meanwhile, Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party and a member of the left-wing coalition, criticized the decision, calling it a “denial of democracy.” Faure further warned, “We’re entering a crisis of regime,” pointing to the appointment of a prime minister from a party that finished fourth in the election as evidence of political instability.

Barnier’s Political Evolution

Michel Barnier, 73, is a veteran of French politics with a career spanning nearly five decades. Initially known as a centrist and pro-European figure, Barnier shifted his political stance in 2021, adopting a more right-wing approach, particularly on issues of immigration and national security. During his attempt to secure the presidential nomination for Les Républicains in 2022, Barnier called for a temporary ban on non-European immigration, which shocked many of his European counterparts.

At the time, Barnier argued that unregulated immigration was undermining France’s national identity, citing the UK’s Brexit vote as a warning of societal divisions. He also called for France to regain legal sovereignty from EU courts, a stance that underscored his shift towards a more nationalist outlook.

Despite his failed presidential bid, Barnier’s desire to return to French politics has remained steadfast. Following the post-Brexit agreement with the UK, he expressed a renewed sense of duty, saying, “I’ve never been a technocrat, I’ve always been a politician.”

Criticism and Support

Barnier’s age has also been a point of contention. At 73, he is the oldest prime minister in modern French history. Julien Odoul, a member of Marine Le Pen’s party, likened him to U.S. President Joe Biden, criticizing his age and labeling him as an “opportunist” who frequently changes his positions. “He’s a French Joe Biden with no backbone,” Odoul said.

However, Barnier’s supporters praise his experience and reliability. Known for his love of mountaineering and hiking in the Alps, Barnier has built a reputation as a steady, elder statesman. First elected at the age of 22 as a local councilor in Savoie, Barnier entered the national assembly at 27 and has since held various high-profile roles, including serving as France’s environment minister and twice as EU commissioner. Notably, Barnier co-organized the 1992 Winter Olympics.

As Barnier begins his term as prime minister, the immediate challenge will be navigating France’s divided parliament and forming a government that can address the country’s pressing political and social issues.