French Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced on Thursday, September 19, that France would have a government “before Sunday.” He met with President Emmanuel Macron in the evening for about fifty minutes, submitting a list of thirty-eight ministers, including sixteen full members. The final obstacle is currently the ongoing ethical verifications.
The list of full members includes seven Macronists, three Republicans (LR), two MoDem, one Horizons, and a member of the centrist UDI party. Among the three ministers from the right is Bruno Retailleau, the leader of the LR senators, who is likely to be appointed as Minister of the Interior, according to sources from the right and central bloc. Meanwhile, Laurent Wauquiez, the leader of the LR deputies, announced that he would not be joining the government after refusing the position of Minister of Finance.
From the Macronist side, the resigned Minister of European Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot (MoDem), is being proposed for Foreign Affairs, while the resigned Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu (Renaissance), is expected to be reappointed. The formation of the new government has been the focus of intense negotiations and discussions throughout the day at Matignon.
As the process of forming the government continues, mayors are becoming increasingly impatient for the new cabinet to be announced. There are also tensions and delicate maneuvers within the government, particularly for Gérald Darmanin, as he seeks to secure his future in the administration. The pressure is on Michel Barnier from various factions, including Gabriel Attal, who is looking to influence decisions in the face of the Republican party.
Frictions have also emerged between Michel Barnier and Emmanuel Macron as the process unfolds. The complexities of balancing different political affiliations and agendas within the government are becoming apparent. The final composition of the cabinet will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of French politics. Stay updated on the latest developments in this ongoing political saga.
