Meet the Man at the Helm: Unveiling Michel Bernier, France’s New Prime Minister
Michel Barnier: The New Prime Minister of France
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister of France, nearly 60 days after the legislative elections. Barnier, a centre-right politician and former European Union negotiator, has a 51-year political career and holds the record for being the oldest prime minister in the history of the Fifth Republic.
Who is Michel Barnier?
Barnier is a member of the Republican Party (LR) and has served as a minister under the presidency of François Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, and Nicolas Sarkozy. He was the chief Brexit negotiator and attempted to run for president in the 2022 election but was disqualified in the Republican primary.
A Varied Political Career
Barnier entered the French Parliament in 1978 as a member of the National Assembly for the Savoie region, becoming the youngest member of the assembly at the age of 27. He held several important positions, including President of the General Assembly of the Province of Savoie, Senator, Minister of the Environment, Minister of European Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
His Position on Immigration
Barnier’s critics have faulted him for his positions on immigration and the LGBT+ community. During his Republican primary campaign in 2021, he proposed holding a referendum on immigration when he took office. In May 2023, he expressed his desire to free France from European restrictions on immigration.
Acknowledgment of Brussels
Barnier achieved great recognition in Brussels, where he served as European Commissioner for Regional Policy and then became a member of the European Parliament in 2009. He was respected for his ability to earn respect, his patience, and his perseverance.
Appointed to Matignon
Barnier’s appointment as Prime Minister has angered the left, who had been calling for him to head the government. The Socialist bloc in the National Assembly announced it would not give Barnier confidence, citing a lack of political legitimacy or republican legitimacy.
We are going through a real food crisis. The French may legitimately ask themselves why we are calling them to vote: in all European democracies, we begin by calling the party that came first to govern. But not in France. pic.twitter.com/ks0adqaHVF
— Olivier Faure (@fauriolivier) September 5, 2024
Reactions from the Left
The hard-left leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said: “The election was stolen from the French,” insisting that “this character is closest to the position” of the far-right National Assembly.
Emmanuel Macron has officially denied the results of the legislative elections.
He just hired Michel Barnier. A member, among others, of a party that was in the last assembly elections.
Emmanuel Macron stole the election from the people of France.#Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/kFdkSPlKIc
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) September 5, 2024
Macron appears to be counting on the National Assembly, led by former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, to avoid ousting Barnier in a confidence vote.
We will not participate in Michel Barnier’s government.
The situation we have announced today is chaos. We will see if Michel Barnier manages to balance the budget, at least. pic.twitter.com/I9luH9xwtX
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) September 5, 2024