The appointment of ministers in Michel Barnier’s new government has divided French voters more than two months after early legislative elections that fractured the political landscape.
The announcement of the appointment of ministers in Michel Barnier’s new government has sparked many reactions in the political parties. On the ground, voters say they are disappointed, frustrated or angry. Others want to give the government a chance and will judge on the evidence.
The new coalition government is the result of a subtle balance between centrists, close to President Emmanuel Macron, and the Republicans who came in fourth place in the second round of the legislative elections.
At a farmers’ market in southern France, residents expressed frustration as a left-wing coalition won the most seats in the election.
“I think we’re just taking the same people and starting over. The left still came out on top in the elections, and there’s no one to represent them, doesn’t that seem illogical?” protests a passer-by.
“This is nonsense! Macron does what he wants.”
Other voters are cautious, saying it is too early to judge the new government’s performance.
“If only they could all unite to move France forward in the right direction, that would be wonderful!”says one voter.
On Saturday, at the call of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise and numerous associations, thousands of French people demonstrated in the country’s major cities against “the denial of democracy” after the appointment of the government.
First Council of Ministers this Monday
While the new government will meet this Monday for their first Council at the Elysée, on Sunday evening, during a televised interview on France 2, Michel Barnier set some goals to try to reassure his allies and opponents.
Michel Barnier reiterated on Sunday that he did not intend to create “controversy” with the head of state, even if he considers that there are “no areas reserved” for the President of the Republic, but rather “shared areas”.
The Prime Minister again called for a “spirit of positive compromise” in the interests of the country.
He recalled that the preparation of the 2025 budget, which has already been delayed by an unprecedented amount, was the number one emergency in a very tense economic context. Michel Barnier promised not to “not to further increase taxes on all French people” while indicating that “the richest must take part in the solidarity effort” without going into details.
While former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was worried about a possible decline in societal rights with the arrival of Republican ministers known for their hostility, particularly to same-sex marriage, the Matignon resident also assured that major laws of “social or societal progress” such as those on voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG), marriage for all or medically assisted procreation (AMP or PMA) would be “completely preserved”.
Michel Barnier also pledged to “take the time to improve” the highly contested pension reform, which he says he wants to improve, and reached out to social partners to try to get out of the rut. The head of government was careful not to comment on a review of the retirement age, which left-wing parties, like the far right, are calling into question.
The New Popular Front has already planned to draft a motion of censure which will be tabled by the socialists after the general policy speech, indicated the head of the PS Olivier Faure.
