Who Is Ex-EU Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier Named New French Prime Minister?

President Emmanuel Macron named Michel Barnier as France’s new Prime Minister on Thursday, aiming to stabilize a politically fractured government. At 73, Barnier is the oldest individual to hold the office in the history of France’s Fifth Republic, succeeding Gabriel Attal, who, at 34, was the youngest and also the country’s first openly gay Prime Minister.

Barnier, known for his role as the chief Brexit negotiator and a seasoned conservative, replaces Attal, who served just eight months before stepping down. The appointment follows over 50 days of caretaker government and is expected to confront France’s persistent political turmoil, exacerbated by a deeply divided National Assembly that emerged from surprise legislative elections in June.

Barnier’s appointment was met with mixed reactions. Critics, including some of Macron’s political opponents, highlighted Barnier’s 1981 vote against a law decriminalizing homosexuality during his parliamentary tenure, raising concerns about his views on LGBTQ+ rights. Despite this, Macron's decision reflects a strategic choice aimed at bridging political divides and achieving legislative progress.

Barnier faces a formidable challenge in navigating a hung parliament with no clear majority, necessitating ad hoc alliances to address urgent issues, such as the 2025 budget. Macron and his team had explored various candidates in their quest to find a leader capable of managing the fractured political landscape and fostering consensus.