France has announced a new government, two months after elections led to a hung parliament and deep political divides.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a conservative, formed the government after tough negotiations, and President Emmanuel Macron approved it. The 38-member Cabinet includes ministers from Macron’s centrist alliance and the conservative Republicans party.
The elections, held in June and July, saw a left-wing coalition win the most seats but fail to gain a majority. Key figures in the new government include Jean-Noël Barrot as the new foreign minister and Antoine Armand as finance minister. Barrot, a centrist, is known for his work in digital and European affairs. Armand, a rising political figure, will face the challenge of managing France’s economy and budget, especially with growing debt concerns.
However, Barnier’s government faces opposition from the far-left and far-right. Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party protested against the government, while Marine Le Pen’s National Rally said it would closely monitor its actions, especially regarding budget issues.
