France's new PM tackles first challenge of forming cabinet

France's oldest premier, Michel Barnier, navigates political turmoil to form a new government after weeks of impasse.

France's new right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier started consulting all sides Friday (September 6, 2024) to cobble together a government capable of mustering a majority in parliament after two months of political deadlock.

The 73-year-old, a former Foreign Minister who recently acted as the European Union's Brexit negotiator, is the oldest premier in the history of modern France.

Taking over from 35-year-old Gabriel Attal, a centrist half his age who was the country's first openly gay premier, Mr. Barnier pledged to take on his new task with "humility".

He said education, security and "immigration control" were his priorities and said he would be unafraid to speak the truth on the country's "financial debt", but also promised "change".

President Emmanuel Macron named Barnier after weeks of impasse as France hosted the Olympics and part of the Paralympics after his centrist alliance lost its relative majority in parliament in a snap election.

Mr. Macron took the risk of dissolving parliament in June and calling for the vote after the far right trounced his alliance in European elections.

The election saw a left-wing alliance emerge as France's biggest political force, but without enough seats for an overall majority.