After weeks of consultations, French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister.
Hailing from the conservative party Les Republicains, Barnier, 73, was formerly a minister in several governments.
He also served as European Commissioner and chief Brexit negotiator.
Barnier will replace Gabriel Attal, who resigned last month from his role following the country’s legislative elections.
Several reports indicate that the appointment has struck a nerve with politicians on the left.
According to France 24, leftist parties believe the head of government should “reflect French voters’ clear preference for the leftist New Popular Front.”
Politicians like Jean Luc Melenchon from France’s left France Unbowed Party called for protests on September 7 to express their displeasure with the appointment.
A statement from Emmanuel Macron’s office said Barnier is tasked with forming a unifying government to serve the country and the French people.
“This appointment comes after an unprecedented cycle of consultations during which, in accordance with his constitutional duty, the president ensured that the prime minister and the future government would meet the conditions to be as stable as possible and give themselves the chances of uniting as broadly as possible,” the statement said.
France has in recent months and weeks experienced a series of internal political tensions surrounding President Macron’s policies, particularly issues such as the retirement system reforms.
The reforms sparked widespread protests and opposition marked by deep divisions due to other challenges related to security and economic issues.
