France's new govt convenes for first time and sets budget, migrant issues as top priorities

NEWS WIRES

23 September 2024 at 12:42 pm·1-min read

France's right-leaning new government convened Monday for its first formal meeting during which Prime Minister Michel Barnier vowed to address budget and migrant issues as the priority. Barnier is expected to submit a new budget bill to the European Union next month, and he has pledged to "control and limit" immigration.

France’s new government dominated by conservatives and centrists gathered for the first time Monday as Prime Minister Michel Barnier set budget and migrant issues as top priorities.

Barnier convened a meeting early morning with newly appointed ministers ahead of a brief Cabinet session in the afternoon with centrist President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee presidential palace.

The long-awaited list of government members was unveiled Saturday, more than two months after elections that produced a hung parliament and deepened political divisions as France grapples with growing financial and diplomatic challenges.

Macron told government members Monday a “new era” was starting as the political situation is unprecedented in the country and called on them to “stay on the path to compromise,” according to participants in the Cabinet meeting.

Barnier argued that the deal made by his conservative allies and Macron's centrists would allow them to have a bigger support at the National Assembly.

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