- France on the verge of naming new government
- It comes after months of political manoeuvring following a controversial snap election
- New PM Michel Barnier has confirmed a deal has been reached
- But unclear how they will get necessary support in a divided parliament
France on the verge of naming new government
France is on the verge of unveiling a new government, with the final decision awaiting approval from President Emmanuel Macron.
After months of political manoeuvring and a snap legislative election that left more questions than answers, Prime Minister Michel Barnier was seen heading to the Élysée Palace on Thursday evening to present his cabinet to President Macron. This follows weeks of difficulty in forming a government in a fractured political landscape.
The prime minister’s office has confirmed that a deal has been reached, though it remains unclear how Barnier, a conservative, will secure the necessary support in a divided parliament. With a mix of left-wing, centrist, and far-right MPs, the new government will face significant challenges, especially when it comes to making tough political decisions.
Macron now holds the final say in approving the cabinet before it becomes official.
Barnier’s appointment as prime minister has been controversial, drawing criticism from all sides of the political spectrum. Macron’s decision to appoint the former Brexit negotiator to such a key role sparked backlash, given the tight and fragmented results of the June and July elections.