Michel Barnier negotiates with potential ministers as he struggles to form a coalition government
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier could resign if he fails to form a new government after a meeting with lawmakers on Thursday, France Info radio reported, citing a member of the right-wing Les Republicains party.
Two weeks after being appointed by President Emmanuel Macron, Barnier has so far failed to form a new administration that can meet the conflicting priorities of a divided lower house of parliament and tackle France’s growing budget deficit.
“This is the last chance, and if not, he will resign. He will realise that it will not be possible, that everyone’s personal interests prevent him from forming a government in peace,” he added. The anonymous member of Les Republicains told the station.
According to another party source, Macron “is getting involved” in the process.
“(Macron) is playing with fire. If Michel Barnier resigns, he will be in the front line,” said the anonymous politician.
Macron chose Barnier, a 73-year-old conservative and former Brexit negotiator, to lead the government after two months of political turmoil following snap elections in June and July in which no party won an outright majority in parliament.
France’s leftist New Popular Front (NPF) ultimately won a majority of seats in the vote, but failed to secure enough to govern. Macron previously blocked the appointment of the NPF’s chosen prime minister, Lucie Castets, arguing that it would threaten “institutional stability”.
Barnier’s conservative Les Republicains party has few seats in a parliament divided between three large blocs: the left-wing NFP alliance, Macron’s centrists and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. The prime minister will have to win the support of all parties to avoid being ousted by votes of no confidence.
Earlier this week, Barnier’s scheduled meeting with former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was postponed due to “agenda reasons.” The meeting was reportedly intended to clarify the involvement of Macron’s allies in the new government.
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