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France has announced a new government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, aiming to navigate the political deadlock following recent snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament.
The announcement comes after two and a half months of uncertainty following President Emmanuel Macron's surprise decision to call early elections.
Barnier's cabinet is designed to balance the interests of right-wingers and centrists, with the inclusion of Bruno Retailleau, a key figure in the conservative party, securing the interior ministry in exchange for parliamentary support.
This highlights the government's reliance on cross-party alliances to function effectively in the fragmented political landscape.
The prestigious role of finance minister has been assigned to 33-year-old Antoine Armand, a relatively unknown member of Macron's party, indicating the challenges faced in securing a robust cabinet.
Armand, along with new budget minister Laurent Saint-Martin, will be responsible for drafting a budget bill by January, amid growing concerns about France's rising budget deficit.
Bruno Retailleau, a conservative senator since 2004, is known for his hard-right views and is the most senior figure from his Republicans party to enter Barnier's government.
Jean-Noel Barrot, 41, is promoted to foreign minister after serving as junior minister for European affairs since February 2024.
Benjamin Haddad, 38, a fluent English speaker with excellent contacts in Washington, DC, where he spent years working at a think-tank, was first elected to parliament in 2022 under Macron's party colours.
Sebastien Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, remains in his post as defence minister
In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche, he stated, "We must cut public spending and make it more efficient. If the solution was to raise taxes, France would have long been the world's top superpower."
As Barnier seeks to build a government that can effectively manage France's economic challenges, the success of his cabinet will depend on its ability to forge consensus across a divided parliament.
AFP
