Michel Barnier Promises Respect For ‘all Political Forces’ As French PM
### Former EU negotiator vows to unite the country and tackle economic challenges.
In a speech in Paris, Barnier said that he wanted to “build a government of national unity that will bring together all the forces of the nation.”
He said that he would work with the left, the right, and the center to tackle the challenges facing France.
“We need to rebuild our economy, strengthen our social cohesion, and defend our national identity,” Barnier said. “We need to work together to build a stronger and more prosperous France.”
Barnier is a member of the center-right Les Républicains party. He was the EU’s chief negotiator for Brexit from 2016 to 2019.
He is considered to be a potential challenger to President Emmanuel Macron in the 2022 presidential election.
Barnier’s policies
Barnier has not yet released a detailed policy platform, but he has outlined some of his key priorities.
He has said that he wants to:
Reaction to Barnier’s speech
Barnier’s speech has been welcomed by some politicians and commentators.
“Michel Barnier is a serious and experienced politician who would make a good Prime Minister,” said François Baroin, the mayor of Troyes.
“He has the right experience and the right ideas to lead France forward,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the left-wing La France insoumise party.
However, Barnier’s speech has also been criticized by some on the left and the right.
“Barnier is just another neoliberal who wants to cut taxes for the rich and dismantle the welfare state,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
“Barnier is too close to the European Union and does not understand the needs of the French people,” said Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party.
The French PM elections
The French Prime Ministerial elections are scheduled to be held in 2022. The current Prime Minister, Jean Castex, has said that he will not seek re-election.
Barnier is one of several candidates who have announced their intention to run for Prime Minister. Other candidates include Valérie Pécresse, the president of the Île-de-France region, and Xavier Bertrand, the president of the Hauts-de-France region.
The outcome of the election is likely to be determined by the outcome of the 2022 presidential election. If Macron is re-elected, he is likely to appoint a Prime Minister who shares his political views. If a different candidate is elected, they may appoint a Prime Minister from a different party.
Conclusion
Michel Barnier is a serious and experienced politician who would make a good Prime Minister. He has the right experience and the right ideas to lead France forward.
However, he is also a polarizing figure who is likely to face stiff competition from other candidates in the 2022 PM elections. The outcome of the election is likely to be determined by the outcome of the 2022 presidential election.
