The Barnier government (French: gouvernement Barnier) is the forty-fifth and incumbent government of France during the period of the French Fifth Republic. It was formed in September 2024 after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister on 5 September, replacing caretaker Gabriel Attal. After the governing coalition lost its status as the largest parliamentary bloc in the July snap election, Attal tendered his resignation, but was asked to continue until his successor was chosen.
Barnier government | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 45th Government of French Fifth Republic | |
.jpg) | |
| Date formed | 5 September 2024 |
| People and organisations | |
| President of the Republic | Emmanuel Macron |
| Prime Minister | Michel Barnier |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Centre-right minority government (coalition) 212 / 577 |
| History | |
| Election | 2024 French legislative election |
| Predecessor | Attal government |
On 5 September, Barnier was invited by Emmanuel Macron to "form a unity government".[1]
With only 212 out of 577 seats in the National Assembly (France's lower house of Parliament), the centre-right-coalition began as one of the smallest minority governments in French history and it will have to rely on support from other parties, such as the RN, in the Assembly.
Formation
editContext
editAfter the dissolution of the 16th legislature by Macron on 9 June 2024, the early legislative election took place on 30 June and 7 July. While the National Rally was originally anticipated to obtain a majority or plurality, it came third in seats behind the New Popular Front and Ensemble.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, having only served six months in office, offered his resignation to Macron, who accepted it on 16 July. The day before the opening of the Paris Olympic Games, the New Popular Front designated Lucie Castets to be its candidate for the premiership. In reaction, arguing that "no one won [the elections]", Macron announced the holding of consultations to form a government.[2]
On 16 August, at the end of the Olympic Games, Macron invited party leaders and presidents of parliamentary groups from both chambers to the Palais de l'Élysée on 23 August to try to form a government.[3] After the President met the party leaders and the presidents of parliamentary groups, Macron's office announced in a press release on 26 August that Castets would not be appointed prime minister.[4]
On 2 September, Emmanuel Macron met with Bernard Cazeneuve, former Socialist Prime Minister from 2016 to 2017, and Xavier Bertrand, current Hauts-de-France region president, as they were touted as top contenders for the premiership.[5] Faced with the risk of a successful vote of no confidence, the appointment of Michel Barnier was considered on 4 September.[6] On 5 September, almost two months after the second round of legislative elections, Macron appointed him as PM. While the NFP has announced it would move a motion of no confidence against any government not led by them, the National Rally announced that it will wait for the general policy statement of the new government before deciding whether to support any motions of no confidence.[7]
Anti-Barnier government protests
editComposition
editBarnier's ministers were named on 21 September, formed of centrists and conservatives.[12] All ministers are placed in the order of precedence defined by the Order of the Protocol defined by the Elysée when the government was announced
Ministers
editDeputy Ministers
editSecretary of State
edit| Portfolio | Attached minister | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Secretary for Citizenship and Anti-Discrimination | Minister of the Interior | Othman Nasrou | LR | |
| Secretary of State for La Francophonie and International Partnerships | Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs | Thani Mohamed Soilihi | SE | |
| State Secretary for Consumer Affairs | Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry | Laurence Garnier | LR | |
| Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities | Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy, and Gender Equality | Salima Saa | LR | |
| Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital | Minister of Higher Education and Research | Clara Chappaz | SE | |
References
edit- ^ "Michel Barnier nommé Premier ministre". Les Echos (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "Résultats législatives 2024 : Emmanuel Macron lance les grandes manœuvres (et assure que « personne n'a gagné »)". 20 Minutes (in French). 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "Emmanuel Macron convie les chefs de partis le 23 août, pas de Premier ministre dans l'immédiat". La Voix du Nord (in French). 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "Nouveau gouvernement : Emmanuel Macron refuse de nommer Lucie Castets et lance de nouvelles consultations". Les Echos (in French). 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "Matignon: Macron "test" Cazeneuve and Bertrand, the Beaudet surprise emerges". TV5 Monde (in French). 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-05..
- ^ "Nouveau Premier ministre: Michel Barnier, nouvelle "piste sérieuse" d'Emmanuel Macron?". BFMTV (in French). 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "L'ancien ministre Michel Barnier, figure des Républicains, nommé Premier ministre par Emmanuel Macron". Franceinfo (in French). 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Clayton, Freddie (7 September 2024). "France's left rage at Macron for shutting them out of power despite election victory". NBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Khalil, Hafsa (7 September 2024). "France sees thousands protest over new centre-right PM Barnier". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Goury-Laffont, Victor (7 September 2024). "Thousands protest across France after Macron rejects left's demands". Politico. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Irish, John (7 September 2024). "Thousands protest in France against Macron's choice of prime minister". Reuters. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Agence France-Presse (21 September 2024). "Macron names right-leaning French government under Michel Barnier". The Guardian.