Michel Barnier Named New French Prime Minister

Michel Barnier, the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator, has been named France’s new Prime Minister, according to the French president’s office.

Barnier, 73, a staunch Europhile and a member of the Republicans party representing the traditional right, is internationally known for his role in negotiating the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (EU). I Photo: Michel Barnier Facebook

This ends two months of stalemate following inconclusive parliamentary elections, Sophie Tanno, Dalal Mawad, and Stephanie Halasz reported for CNN.

In a recent statement, the Élysée Palace said: “The President of the Republic has appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister. He is tasked with forming a united government to serve the country and the French people.”

The statement added that Barnier’s appointment follows “an unprecedented cycle of consultations” aimed at ensuring a stable government.

Barnier, 73, a staunch Europhile and a member of the Republicans party representing the traditional right, is internationally known for his role in negotiating the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (EU).

With 40 years of experience in French and European politics, Barnier has held various ministerial positions, including foreign, agriculture, and environment minister.

He has served twice as a European commissioner and has been an adviser to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In 2021, Barnier launched a bid for the French presidency but failed to secure sufficient support within his party.

President Macron accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government in July after Macron's centrist Ensemble alliance was defeated in the second round of France’s snap parliamentary election.