Political crisis in Paris: France expects new government

In France, the presentation of the government of the new Prime Minister Michel Barnier is expected today. Two weeks after his appointment, the conservative former EU Commissioner presented the composition of his future cabinet to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday evening after difficult discussions, the government announced. However, it is uncertain whether this will end the political crisis that has been keeping France on tenterhooks since early summer and how long the new government will last.

The political situation in France remains paradoxical. Although the left-wing alliance surprisingly won the early parliamentary elections a good two months ago, the country is now likely to have a center-right government in which the left wing does not play a dominant role. A vote of no confidence could soon be threatened by both the left and the extreme right. According to media reports, Barnier is scheduled to make a government statement on October 1.

Barnier wants to improve the living standards of the French

Barnier outlined the basic principles of his future policy on Thursday evening. It is about improving the standard of living of the French and the functioning of public services, particularly schools and health care. Another focus is more internal security, controlling immigration and promoting integration. In addition, companies and farmers should be supported, as should the economic attractiveness of France. In addition, public finances must be rehabilitated and environmental policy strengthened.

It is unclear whether and to what extent Barnier will fill ministerial and deputy ministerial posts with politicians from the left wing. According to media reports, there will be 38 posts in total. The left wing parties had initially declared themselves unwilling to participate in a government.

Who will be what? Media are already reporting the first names

As reported by the newspaper “Libération” and the broadcaster BFMTV, among others, of the 16 senior ministers of the future government, seven will come from Macron’s center camp, three from the conservative Republicans, one from a left-wing and one from a right-wing party, and the remaining four from center parties.

According to media reports, all key positions are to be filled, with only Sébastien Lecornu remaining in his post in the Ministry of Defense. Rachida Dati, who took over the Ministry of Culture in January, is also expected to remain in office. The leader of the conservative Republicans in the Senate, Bruno Retailleau, has been named as a possible new Minister of the Interior, with Macron’s centrist MP Antoine Armand as Minister of Economic Affairs and centrist MP Jean-Noël Barrot as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Absolute majority still missing

Depending on the government’s plans, Barnier may have to rely on the support of different partners and also on the tolerance of Marine le Pen’s right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National. The future government will most likely not be able to rely on an absolute majority.

The political situation in France has been tense since no political camp won an absolute majority in the early parliamentary elections two months ago. Neither the victorious left-wing alliance nor the other parties managed to put together a coalition capable of governing.

Since summer 2022, Macron’s center-right camp no longer had an absolute majority in parliament, and the president had to rely on support from other camps for political projects, which proved to be difficult in practice. Fixed coalitions are unusual in France, and Macron’s calculation of expanding his power base with the early parliamentary elections did not work out. His camp is significantly weakened in parliament.