Former EU Commissioner Michel Barnier appointed as French Prime Minister

Appointment follows weeks of political deadlock in France

Barnier takes over from Élisabeth Borne, who resigned last week

Former European Commissioner Michel Barnier has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of France.

The appointment comes after weeks of political deadlock in France, following the resignation of Élisabeth Borne last week.

Barnier, a veteran politician with a long history of public service, is seen as a safe pair of hands to lead France through this period of uncertainty.

Barnier's background and qualifications

Born in 1951, Barnier is a graduate of the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), the prestigious French civil service school.

He began his career in the French Ministry of Finance, before moving on to hold a number of senior positions in the European Commission.

In 2016, Barnier was appointed as the EU's Chief Negotiator for Brexit. In this role, he led the negotiations with the UK on the terms of its withdrawal from the European Union.

Barnier's priorities as Prime Minister

Barnier's priorities as Prime Minister are likely to include:

• Tackling the cost of living crisis
• Reforming the French economy
• Improving France's international standing

Barnier is a moderate conservative who is seen as a pragmatic and experienced politician.

His appointment is likely to be welcomed by the French business community and by France's European partners.

Challenges facing Barnier

Barnier faces a number of challenges as Prime Minister.

• The cost of living crisis is putting pressure on households and businesses.
• The French economy is struggling to grow.
• France's international standing has been damaged by the war in Ukraine.

Barnier will need to address these challenges quickly and effectively if he is to succeed as Prime Minister.

Conclusion

The appointment of Michel Barnier as French Prime Minister is a significant development.

Barnier is a highly experienced and respected politician who is seen as a safe pair of hands to lead France through this period of uncertainty.

However, he faces a number of challenges, including the cost of living crisis, the struggling economy, and France's damaged international standing.