France announces new centre-right government two months after divisive election

PARIS (AP) — France’s presidential palace unveiled a long-awaited new government dominated by conservatives and centrists on Saturday, more than two months after elections that led to a hung parliament and deepened political divisions while France grapples with mounting financial and diplomatic challenges.

The left-wing coalition won the most seats in parliamentary elections in June and July but failed to secure a majority. Student groups and activists from the radical left party France Unbowed staged protests across the country on Saturday against a government they say is rejecting the will of voters.

President Emmanuel Macron appointed conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister earlier this month, despite Barnier’s Republican party doing poorly in the election, and Barnier formed a government after difficult negotiations. Macron approved, with the announcement made at the presidential palace.

READ MORE: Macron picks EU Brexit negotiator as France’s new PM

Marine Le Pen’s far-right, anti-immigration National Rally party has no seats in Barnier’s government but enough votes in parliament to oust him. The party won a narrow victory by appointing staunch conservative Bruno Retailleau as the new interior minister, with responsibilities including key domestic issues such as national security, immigration and law enforcement.

The composition and leadership of the French government are important because the country is a leading voice in EU policy, has one of the world’s largest economies and is a nuclear-armed member of the UN Security Council with veto power.

The 39-person cabinet is composed primarily of ministers from Macron’s centrist coalition and the conservative Republicans.

Jean-Noël Barrot is the new Foreign Minister, a centrist politician known for his work on digital transformation and European affairs. He brings a wealth of experience in navigating complex international issues, especially in the EU.

The new finance minister is Antoine Armand, a rising figure in French politics, who is now tasked with steering France’s fiscal policy and managing the upcoming 2025 budget amid pressure from Brussels to tackle France’s mounting debt.

Sébastien Lecornu remains defense minister. He has played a key role in strengthening France’s military capabilities, including modernizing defense systems and managing military aid to Ukraine. His defense leadership will be crucial as France navigates its role in NATO and copes with rising geopolitical tensions over wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Barnier’s ability to govern effectively is already under intense scrutiny, with his political opponents on the left vowing to challenge him at every turn and the far right saying it will monitor the government closely.

The left-wing New Popular Front coalition surprised many by winning the most seats in a risky snap election that Macron called after the far-right won the European Parliament election.

However, the New Popular Front was not given a chance to form a minority government and refused to make concessions and join a more leftist governing coalition.

Barnier, a 73-year-old veteran politician best known for his role as the European Union’s Brexit negotiator, is no stranger to complicated political tasks. But forming a government that can survive in such a divided parliament will test his wealth of experience and political astuteness.

Barnier’s first major political test will come on October 1, when he delivers a general policy speech to the National Assembly.

Associated Press writer Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.