Watch: Who is new France PM Michel Barnier?
The Hindu
Thousands took to the streets across France to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint conservative Michel Barnier as the prime minister
Thousands took to the streets across France to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint conservative Michel Barnier as the prime minister
Macron’s announcement came on September 5th, almost two months after France’s snap elections in which no party won a majority
Barnier, who belongs to the Republicans (LR) party has accepted his role, saying, “There is a need for respect, appeasement and unity”
Who is Michel Barnier?
Born on January 9th, 1951, Barnier comes from humble origins in Southeast France’s La Tronche.
Barnier has served as the Cabinet Minister of Environment, European Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Fisheries under four different conservative Prime Ministers.
He has repeatedly voted for conservative choices like opposing the decriminalisation of same-sex relations among underage couples, and abolishing capital punishment.