Macron To Announce New French Prime Minister Thursday
2 years ago 2 min read
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French President, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to name a new prime minister on Thursday following the removal of Michel Barnier’s government after a no-confidence vote.
AFP reports that the announcement will likely take place after Macron returns from a one-day visit to Poland.
Earlier this week, the president promised to select a new government leader within 48 hours to address the political crisis.
The new prime minister faces the daunting challenge of navigating a deeply fragmented parliament and ensuring the passage of next year’s budget.
The country’s parliament, which is divided between Macron’s centrists, left-wing parties, conservatives, and the far-right National Rally (RN), requires cooperation between opposing factions for a stable government.
Efforts to bring left-wing factions into the fold have hit a roadblock, with those parties insisting the next premier must come from their ranks.
Potential candidates for the position includes; François Bayrou, a centrist ally of Macron, though his nomination has faced opposition from Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure.
Other names being considered are former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and current Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
At Barnier’s final cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Macron proposed a “non-aggression pact” between political parties to ensure a functioning government.
Meanwhile, a special budget draft law was presented to the Council of Ministers, with parliamentary debate set to begin on Monday. Most parties are expected to support the measure in the interest of national stability.
