Who is France's new prime minister Michel Barnier?

Alison Hird

5 September 2024 at 11:45 am·1-min read

After 50 days of a caretaker government, President Emmanuel Macron has finally named former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as prime minister, tasked "with forming a unifying government to serve the country and the French people". Who is he and what are his chances of surviving a no-confidence vote in France's divided parliament?

Barnier was not an obvious candidate for the post, but after weeks of discussions with leaders of all the major French parties, he emerged as a more viable pick than either Socialist former prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve or conservative regional president Xavier Bertrand – the two names most often floated.

A veteran politician from the conservative Republicans (LR) party, 73-year-old Barnier becomes France's oldest prime minister under the current Fifth Republic, founded in 1958.

He replaces Gabriel Attal, who became France's youngest ever prime minister when he was appointed in January at the age of 34.

Macron names ex-Brexit negotiator Barnier as French PM

From the Alps to Brussels

Born in France's Alpine region of Haute-Savoie, Barnier went into local politics aged just 22. He was elected to parliament five years later in 1978, becoming its youngest MP aged 27.

Mélénchon predicted Barnier would not get a majority backing in the fractured National Assembly.

Australian Associated Press
Snedeker named US assistant captain for Presidents Cup
US Team Captain Jim Furyk has announced Brandt Snedeker as his fourth captain's assistant for the 2024 Presidents Cup.
Australian Associated Press
France foiled three plots against Olympics: prosecutor
Authorities foiled three plots to attack the Olympics in Paris and other cities, including plans targeting "Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel".
Australian Associated Press
Biden and Harris to visit Sept 11 sites on anniversary
The US is remembering the 2001 terror attacks, with President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris observing the anniversary in New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon.
Australian Associated Press
Iran's president visits Iraq amid Middle East tensions
Iran's new president is in Iraq on his first trip abroad, hoping to cement Tehran's ties to Baghdad as rising tensions strain the Middle East region.
Australian Associated Press
Two children die after being found in burning home
Two young girls have died in hospital after being critically injured in a fire at a house in Melbourne's northwest.
Australian Associated Press
Mac Andrew a Sun until 2030, Dockers axe Matt Taberner
Mac Andrew has re-signed with Gold Coast until 2030, while Fremantle have delisted veteran forward Matt Taberner and defender Ethan Hughes.
Australian Associated Press
United States take winning lead over Chile at Davis Cup
Brandon Nakashima and Reilly Opelka have steered the United States to an unbeatable 2-0 lead over Chile in their Davis Cup Finals group stage match.
Australian Associated Press
September heartbreak for hamstrung Swans captain Mills
Sydney have suffered a major injury blow in the AFL finals, with Callum Mills straining his hamstring at training.
Australian Associated Press
Alleged serial killer 'roughed up' victim, court told
The cellmate of a man accused of three murders says he told him he got angry and repeatedly hit a man who was later found dead, a court has been told.
Australian Associated Press
Three decade sentence for bus driver's 'ultimate sin'
Brett Button has been jailed for 32 years after expressing sorrow and shame for causing a bus crash that left 10 dead and 25 injured in the NSW Hunter Valley.
Australian Associated Press
'Two precious souls': tributes grow for slain boys
A mother of two boys found dead in the Blue Mountains remains under police guard, as the community mourns the loss by laying tributes at the family home.
Australian Associated Press
Maddick gives Broncos backline X-factor edge
Record breaking Brisbane No.1 Hayley Maddick is slight in stature and big on impact with her silver service passing game a key against NRLW leaders Cronulla.
Australian Associated Press
Harris puts Trump on defensive in combative debate
Kamala Harris has made a forceful case against Donald Trump in their debate, getting under his skin as they clashed on topics such as immigration and abortion.
Australian Associated Press
Children held in 'inadequate' watch houses for weeks
Watchhouses in Queensland being used to detain children are overcrowded, lack fresh air and privacy, the Inspector of Detention Services says.
Australian Associated Press
Xerri aims to forge his own next chapter in NRL finals
Canterbury's Bronson Xerri has detailed how he hopes to one day not be known as the man who served a ban for steroid use, ahead of his return to the NRL finals.
Australian Associated Press
The charge star crime-fighting actor didn't see coming
Actor Simon Baker has avoided a conviction after appearing in a country town court over a drink-driving charge, complicated by a global tech outage.
Australian Associated Press
Children promised a say on social media age ban plans
Some young people will get around an age limit on social media but a ban is still needed to protect children, the prime minister says.
Australian Associated Press
Foreign student cap will lower living standards: unis
A higher education heavyweight says the major parties are undermining Australia's future prosperity for short term political gains by capping foreign students.
Australian Associated Press
Gangland murder closer to trial after High Court appeal
A long-delayed murder trial is a step closer to being resolved following a High Court challenge over documents withheld to protect an informant's identity.
Australian Associated Press
Evacuations as fires burn out of control in California
Firefighters are battling three major blazes in southern California that are spreading rapidly and prompting thousands of people to flee their homes.

From the Alps to Brussels

Latest stories