Barnier

Mr Barnier, a former French government minister, led negotiations over the Brexit divorce deal, or withdrawal agreement, for Brussels.

Probably best, as Michel Barnier suggests, not to over-dramatize until all is revealed.

According to the Ifop poll, a majority of respondents see Barnier, the oldest prime minister in the history of modern France, as competent (62 percent), open to dialogue (61 percent) and likeable (60 percent).

After Macron named Barnier, the left vowed to put forward of motion of no confidence against his government.

A showdown could come as early as Monday, when Mr. Barnier may try to force through a budget bill on government health care and other social spending.

As soon as Michel Barnier was named France’s new prime minister, critics found a skeleton in his closet.

Barnier now has to tender his resignation and that of his government to President Emmanuel Macron, making his minority government's three-month tenure the shortest lived in France's Fifth Republic, beginning in 1958.

Barnier's entourage and Le Pen's camp, who had been propping up the minority coalition, each blamed the other and said they had done all they could to reach a deal on the budget.

But like many of the vulnerable Canberrans OzHarvest helps, “we’ve got pretty much a hand-to-mouth existence,” Ms Barnier said.

Chappaz was among the ministers appointed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Saturday (21 September), ending a 67-day political deadlock following the July snap legislative elections.

Fournel was chosen “to address the budget situation and the future European negotiations,” Barnier’s office said.

French bond yields have jumped to a shade under 3 per cent amid fears that Michel Barnier's government is close to collapse.

French President Emmanuel Macron has named Michel Barnier the country’s new prime minister, the presidency said in a statement, reports citing France 24.

French President Emmanuel Macron has tapped former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s next prime minister, the Elysée said in a statement on Thursday, ending a nearly two-month-long search that paralyzed the government.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier attends the debate prior to the no-confidence votes on his administration at the National Assembly in Paris on December 4, 2024.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier succeeded in forming a government after long negotiations, but its days are already numbered as all French political parties are preparing for new elections.

Germany’s decision might provide Barnier with the justification to flex his muscles on migration, especially with Macron's implicit backing.

Having led the marathon talks on the UK's exit from the European Union between 2016 and 2019, Mr Barnier has considerable experience of political deadlock.

He (Barnier) is a member, among others, of a party which was last in the legislative election.

In a TV interview on Friday evening, Mr Barnier, 73, said he was willing to select ministers from across the political spectrum, including “people from the left”.