France’s President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister on Thursday, nearly two months after Gabriel Attal’s resignation.
Barnier, 73, has become the oldest person to hold the position in the Fifth Republic. Macron has tasked Barnier with forming a government that fosters national unity and stability.
He is an experienced politician who has served as both a minister and as a European Commissioner and has been selected to spearhead the new government after extensive consultations. His appointment concludes a seven-week wait period marked by a presidential “Olympic truce” and in-depth negotiations with various political leaders and former presidents including former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Barnier’s appointment is intended to provide stability for addressing key issues, including the 2025 budget presentation on October 1. His background and alignment with Macron’s policies are expected to facilitate forming a coalition despite the lack of a clear majority in the National Assembly, according to reports from French media.