President Emmanuel Macron has named the EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s next Prime Minister in a bid to break a post-election political stalemate.
The Élysée Palace said in a statement on Thursday, “The President of the Republic has appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister. He has to form a united government to serve the country and the French people.”
Barnie, 73, is a veteran of France’s conservative party, Les Republicans (LR).
“Barnier’s appointment comes after ‘an unprecedented cycle of consultations’ in order to ensure a stable government”, the statement added.
Who is Michel Barnier?
Michel Barnier is a staunch Europhile and a member of the Republicans party which represents the traditional right. Barnier is known for his role in mediating the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
Barnier competed to be the LR Presidential candidate in France’s 2022 elections but he lost out to Valerie Pecresse.
A veteran of French and European politics with a career spanning over four decades, Barnier has held various ministerial positions in France, including roles as foreign, agriculture and environment ministers. He also served as a European commissioner as well as an adviser to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Barnier was born in a suburb of the Alpine city of Grenoble in January 1951. He was first elected to parliament at the age of 27.
