Macron Appoints Michel Barnier as French Prime Minister Amid Political Uncertainty

After two months of political turmoil, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as prime minister. Barnier, a seasoned conservative politician, faces challenges with a hung parliament and potential withdrawal of support from Marine Le Pen's National Rally. His priorities include health care, security, jobs, and reducing national debt.

After two months of political chaos following snap elections, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday named Michel Barnier as prime minister. Barnier pledged to cooperate across the political spectrum but gave few clues on his plans. The EU's former chief Brexit negotiator - a discreet conservative who is relatively unknown in France despite former ministerial roles - faces the daunting challenge of steering tough legislation like the 2025 budget through a hung parliament while under constant threat of being toppled.

The fates of Barnier - and Macron - rest with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN), which gave tentative support to Barnier's nomination. But the party made clear it could withdraw support at any point if its concerns on immigration, security, and economic issues are not met. Speaking in the courtyard of the Matignon prime minister's residence, Barnier said his tenure will address the challenges, anger, and the sense of abandonment and injustice permeating many parts of the country.

At 73, Barnier is France's oldest prime minister in modern history, succeeding Gabriel Attal, the youngest. It took Macron two months to appoint him after the election failed to produce a clear majority. Barnier vowed to listen to all political groups, prioritizing health care, security, jobs, and reducing national debt.

The left, which placed first in the election but lacked an absolute majority, pledged to oppose Barnier's administration. Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon called for street protests, denouncing the election results. RN lawmakers demanded that parliament be dissolved soon, while Jordan Bardella, RN president, insisted that the far-right's concerns be addressed, or else it would take action. Barnier, a moderate career politician with a pro-European stance, also emphasized stricter immigration control during his presidential nomination bid in 2021.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen offered their support. The financial markets reacted positively, with French bank shares and the euro rising slightly. Attention now shifts to Barnier's ministerial appointments, crucial for stabilizing the government and reassuring financial markets amid a complex political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)