EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named new French Prime Minister

President Emmanuel Macron called for snap polls in June after the far-right National Rally (RN) trounced his centre-right Renaissance Party in the European Union Parliament elections.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: September 5, 2024 06:48 PM IST

1 min read

Michel Barnier, 73, led the European Union's talks with Britain over its exit from the bloc from 2016-2021. (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday named EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister, two months after an inconclusive snap election in early July.

Macron has considered several potential prime ministers in recent weeks, none of which mustered enough support to guarantee a stable government.

Barnier, 73, led the European Union’s talks with Britain over its exit from the bloc from 2016-2021. Prior to that, the conservative politician held roles in various French governments and was also EU Commissioner.

Barnier is a staunch pro-European and a career, moderate, politician, but he toughened his discourse considerably during his failed 2021 bid to get his conservative party’s ticket for the presidential election, saying immigration was out of control – something the far-right National Rally (RN) agrees with.

Express Opinion | Far-right National Rally lost the French elections — and emerged as its winner

President Emmanuel Macron called for snap polls in June after the RN trounced his centre-right Renaissance Party in the European Union Parliament elections.

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