Michel Barnier has officially been appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron. After weeks of speculation, it is finally the former Brexit negotiator who takes the reins of the government. At 73, Barnier returns to the forefront of the political scene in a context of crisis. The President of the Republic has chosen this experienced man to ease political tensions. Moreover, he is attempting to gather a stable majority in the National Assembly.
For Emmanuel Macron, this appointment marks an attempt to break the deadlock. Indeed, it follows the dissolution of the Assembly last June. Since then, no head of government has managed to establish themselves durably. The appointment of Michel Barnier addresses a dual necessity: stabilizing the country while forming a government capable of standing up to a fragmented opposition. Unlike Xavier Bertrand or Bernard Cazeneuve, Barnier is deemed capable of avoiding an immediate motion of no confidence. He has strong support within the Republicans, without being perceived as a threat to the left.
Michel Barnier is not an unknown figure. Born on January 9, 1951, in La Tronche, Isère, he established himself in the 70s as a key figure in French politics. After studying at ESCP (École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris), he began his career as a mission officer in several ministerial cabinets. In 1978, he became deputy of Savoie, a mandate he held for 15 years. His ministerial career began in 1993 when he was appointed Minister of the Environment under Édouard Balladur. He built a reputation as a rigorous technocrat, specializing in European issues.
But it is especially his role as chief Brexit negotiator that made him a respected figure. Indeed, he became influential on the international stage. For four years, Michel Barnier led the negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. He demonstrated a keen sense of compromise. This ability to navigate the troubled waters of diplomacy could serve him well at Matignon. He will have to deal with a fragmented National Assembly.
Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint Barnier is based on several strategic criteria. First, Barnier is an experienced man, perceived as less divisive than his rivals. Secondly, he has no presidential ambitions for 2027, an asset for a president seeking to avoid any rivalry. Finally, he is capable of rallying the right without frightening the center or the moderate left. This is an essential condition for forming a governmental coalition in a period of tensions.
In recent months, Barnier had kept a low profile. However, his name had been circulating in the corridors of power since the beginning of the summer. After several meetings with Alexis Kohler, the Secretary-General of the Élysée, Barnier gradually emerged as the man for the job. This comeback contrasts with his image as a discreet technocrat, a criticism often leveled at him. Some of his opponents, notably in the National Rally, even label him a political "fossil." But it is precisely this long experience that convinced Macron to entrust him with the keys to Matignon.
The task awaiting Michel Barnier is immense. From his appointment, he will have to form a government capable of managing social and political crises. The National Assembly, where no clear majority emerges, is a minefield. Barnier will also have to navigate between the different political factions. He must avoid falling under a motion of no confidence in the first weeks.
By appointing Michel Barnier, Emmanuel Macron sends a strong signal. He opts for a man of consensus, capable of stabilizing the political situation while continuing the reforms initiated since 2017. Barnier, for his part, has assured that he is "ready to serve." With his European experience, he begins a mandate under high tension. Moreover, his many years in the service of the state have prepared him for this.
The choice of Michel Barnier at Matignon could well mark a new stage in French political history. His ability to negotiate and ease tensions will be put to the test. For now, he appears to be the man for the job. Moreover, he is capable of rallying a governmental coalition. Nevertheless, the political landscape is more divided than ever.