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[global times correspondent in france shang kaiyuan global times correspondent dong ming zhenxiang] the french presidential palace issued a press release on the 5th saying that president macron appointed michel barnier as the new prime minister on the same day and tasked him with forming a new government. barnier, 73, is from the right-wing republican party. the associated press said that he was the oldest among the 26 prime ministers of the french fifth republic when he took office. in his nearly 50-year political career, barnier is considered a centrist, a de gaulleist, and committed to the european cause. on the 5th, barnier held a handover ceremony with attar, who resigned as prime minister. he said that his new role requires "more listening and more respect." the british magazine "the economist" said on the 5th that barnier's appointment as prime minister ended two months of political debate and delay. macron wanted to break the deadlock brought about by the results of the national assembly election. the choice of barnier ended a tense and fierce chapter, but opened another chapter that may be more challenging. the european version of the us "politico news network" said that the angry left-wing alliance has expressed support for launching a motion of no confidence against barnier. the far-right national rally, which is currently taking a wait-and-see attitude, may also give the new government led by barnier the "kiss of death".

on the 5th local time, the new french prime minister barnier (right) and his predecessor attal attended the prime minister handover ceremony. the two are 38 years apart in age. (visual china)

"oldest french prime minister"

according to the "political news network", at the prime ministerial handover ceremony on the 5th, barnier tried to distinguish himself from the previous prime ministers during macron's administration, emphasizing the need for "change and fundamental transformation" and calling for "respect" for "all political forces" in the french national assembly. he said: "we are at a serious moment."

le monde said that attal, the youngest prime minister of the french fifth republic (34 years old when appointed), was replaced by barnier, the oldest prime minister, with a 38-year age difference, and "not the same generation at all". the report said that barnier is a "consensus seeker" with rich experience in power circles, which may help him find a way in the divided french national assembly.

according to politico, barnier has served as a cabinet minister four times and as a european commissioner twice. he has served as the eu's chief negotiator for brexit since 2016. the economist magazine said that barnier is a serious and pragmatic veteran politician with a sense of humor.

euronews quoted analysts on the 5th as saying that the appointment of barnier shows that macron is still in control of the overall situation. according to reports from multiple foreign media, in general, barnier's political views are close to macron's pro-business and pro-european positions. macron hopes that the prime minister will not cancel the key reform measures he has implemented in recent years. barnier's age also means that he is unlikely to put the next presidential election in 2027 at the top of his priority list.

euronews said that the reasons why barnier was appointed as french prime minister include: he is good at negotiation; he is not considered a threat within macron's camp; and he is a "reassuring" partner in the eyes of the european union. but the economist mentioned that barnier would not be a completely obedient subordinate to macron. the latter once described the president's top-down governing style as "lonely and arrogant" and believed that macron's practice of holding early national assembly elections this year was "dangerous."

'walking a tightrope'

since the french national assembly election ended in early july, macron has been trying to find a prime minister with enough cross-party support. today, the left-wing coalition "new popular front" ranks first in the number of seats in the national assembly, followed by macron's ruling party alliance "together", the far-right party national rally and some right-wing people allied with it. foreign media said that the three camps are evenly matched, and no party has won or is close to half of the seats in the national assembly.

according to the procedure, the candidate for french prime minister does not need to be confirmed by a vote of the national assembly. he will submit a list of cabinet members to the president, who will formally appoint him. once the cabinet list is announced, the prime minister will announce the policy program according to tradition. the associated press said that in such a divided situation, forming a government that will not be overthrown by the national assembly through a motion of no confidence is like walking a tightrope. in order to win support, barnier may offer ministerial positions to potential allies. the economist said that there are two major problems facing him: dealing with the rise of left-wing forces; and straightening out france's public finances. le maire, the outgoing french finance minister, said that this year's government budget deficit may reach 5.6% of gdp, higher than the initial forecast of 5.1%, and the new government needs to submit next year's budget to parliament before october 1.

le figaro believes that macron did not succumb to the "whimsical temptation" and "he finally chose one of the most sensible solutions before him." however, the associated press said that the appointment of barnier ended the more than 50-day caretaker government, but it did not guarantee the restoration of political calm.

the far right becomes the “kingmaker”?

the left-wing coalition "new popular front" expressed strong opposition to macron's appointment of the prime minister. one of its parties, "unbowed france" leader melenchon said the election results were "stolen" and called on the french to "mobilize as strongly as possible" this saturday. according to le figaro, socialist party first secretary faure said that this appointment means "we are entering a political crisis" and the new prime minister comes from a party that only ranked fourth in the national assembly election.

according to cnn on the 5th, the far-right national rally is open to cooperating with the new prime minister. the party's chairman, bardeira, said that he would "make a judgment" based on barnier's general policy speeches, budget decisions and specific actions after taking office. national rally leader marine le pen said that the new prime minister "respects" different political forces. however, members of the party will not join the new government led by him.

"in france, the far right has become the 'kingmaker'." the european version of the "politico news network" said on the 6th that barnier's appointment as prime minister is equivalent to giving the far right a major victory. the left-wing alliance has expressed support for a motion of no confidence against barnier. this means that the survival of the new government depends on the national alliance, which ranks third in the national assembly. french centrist senator marseille said that le pen could give the "kiss of death." the report also suggested that le pen was one of the key influential figures in macron's decision on the prime minister. euronews said that some members of macron's camp were puzzled by the president's dealings with le pen: why did the ruling coalition join forces with other parties during the election to prevent the rise of the far right, but eventually opened the door to them?

"in short, barnier is about to face a difficult task." the economist said that he will have to form the "unity government" required by macron, make necessary budget cuts, appease the left, silence the far right, and calm the streets. "barnier survived the brexit negotiations. as an alpine skier from the savoy region, he now needs the same perseverance and agility to avoid falling in the next few months."