French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, the former chief Brexit negotiator, as France's new Prime Minister. This announcement ends a nearly two-month period of political uncertainty.

Barnier, who is 73 years old, becomes the oldest person to hold the office of Prime Minister in modern French history. The Elysée Palace stated that Barnier’s role will be to form “a unifying government in the service of the country.”

Before this new role, Barnier served as a cabinet minister four times and was a European commissioner twice. He became well-known for his role in leading Brexit negotiations starting in 2016. Although he is a prominent figure in Brussels, he is less recognized in France.

The French government had been in a state of limbo following a summer election that resulted in a hung parliament. The left-wing coalition, New Popular Front, won the most seats but did not achieve an outright majority. Macron had previously rejected their candidate, Lucie Castets, due to concerns about her ability to ensure government stability.

Barnier’s appointment follows a period of intense negotiation, during which other names like former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and conservative Xavier Bertrand were also considered. Macron’s choice of Barnier was influenced by the need for stability as France prepares for upcoming budget discussions and the end of the summer break.

Barnier’s selection is expected to impact the political landscape, particularly with his alignment with conservative views and his previous controversial statements on immigration and European court rulings. The far-right National Rally might play a significant role in future government negotiations, potentially influencing Barnier’s ability to lead effectively.

The New Popular Front has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Barnier's appointment, arguing that it contradicts the results of the recent elections and undermines democratic processes. Macron’s decision seems aimed at securing support for his pension reforms, which the left opposes.

Barnier will now begin the challenging task of forming a government that can navigate the complexities of a deeply divided parliament.

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