Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier met at the Prime Minister’s office on September 5, 2024, for the transfer of power ceremony. Michel Barnier, the new Prime Minister, was not pleased with the meeting as it felt like a reminder that he needed to address some concerns. On Wednesday, September 17, at 10:30 am, Barnier was set to meet with his predecessor, Gabriel Attal, who was now the president of the Ensemble pour la République (EPR) party. Attal was accompanied by his five vice-presidents and other members of their delegation. The meeting was requested by Attal to better understand Barnier’s intentions and political plans.
Attal expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding Barnier’s political stance and potential tax increases. He questioned whether the EPR party should participate in the government if Barnier’s policies did not align with President Emmanuel Macron’s mandate of unity. The EPR party, with 97 deputies, is an important force in the Assemblée where Barnier needs support. The potential for disagreements arose due to discussions about tax increases, which went against the policy of Macron’s government, causing further tensions and distrust towards Barnier within the group. However, Matignon clarified that no decisions had been made about tax policy.
Despite being the main support for Barnier in the Assemblée, the EPR party members expressed their frustration and concerns during a meeting, with some questioning how to proceed if they disagreed with the government’s decisions. The EPR party did not want to merely act as puppets for Barnier’s policies, and the threat of losing their support loomed if Barnier did not address their concerns. The uncertainty surrounding Barnier’s political stance and leadership style fueled mistrust within the EPR party, leading to further discussions and debates about their role in the government.
Gabriel Attal and his team sought clarification from Barnier about his political intentions and plans for the government. The uncertainty surrounding Barnier’s leadership and decision-making process led to concerns and questions within the EPR party, who wanted to ensure that their participation in the government aligned with Macron’s mandate for unity. The tensions and disagreements within the group highlighted the challenges faced by Barnier in gaining the support and trust of key political figures in the Assemblée.
The meeting between Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier aimed to address the concerns and uncertainties regarding Barnier’s political stance and leadership style. The EPR party, with its significant number of deputies, was a key player in the Assemblée and could provide crucial support for Barnier’s government. However, disagreements over tax policy and other key issues highlighted the challenges faced by Barnier in uniting different political factions and gaining support for his government. The outcome of the meeting and future discussions would determine the extent of EPR’s involvement in Barnier’s government and the level of support he could expect from key political figures.
