Michel Barnier named as new prime minister of France

Emmanuel Macron has named Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as the new prime minister of France, local media have reported.

Barnier is now tasked with forming a government after almost two months of political deadlock following a snap election that delivered an unwieldy hung parliament.

Barnier will have the daunting challenge of trying to push reforms, and the 2025 budget, through a deeply divided parliament at a time when France is under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.

Macron’s gamble to call the snap parliamentary election after the European elections in June backfired as his centrist coalition lost dozens of seats and no party won an absolute majority.

The left’s New Popular Front alliance came first but Macron ruled out asking them to form a government after other parties said they would immediately vote it down.

More details soon …