“SAME AS BEFORE”
Former French president Francois Hollande, a Socialist, called the cabinet “the same as before, but with an even stronger presence of the right” and one that would inflict “painful measures on our fellow citizens”.
He said a no-confidence motion was “a good solution”.
To pass, a no-confidence motion needs an absolute majority in parliament, which would then force the government to step down immediately – currently an unlikely scenario as the far right and the leftist bloc, sworn enemies, would have to vote in unison.
The first major task for Barnier, best known internationally for leading the European Union’s Brexit negotiations with Britain, will be to submit a 2025 budget plan addressing France’s financial situation, which he this week called “very serious”.
France has been placed on a formal procedure for violating European Union budgetary rules.
The difficult job of submitting a budget plan to parliament next month falls to 33-year-old Antoine Armand, the new finance minister.
Armand told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that “exceptional and targeted” tax increases, as well as cuts in public spending, could not be ruled out.
Among the other new faces in key cabinet posts are Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, while Bruno Retailleau of the Republicans takes over at the interior ministry. His portfolio covers immigration and his right-wing credentials have created unease even in Macron’s own camp.
Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, a close Macron ally, has kept his job.
The only left-of-centre politician is Didier Migaud, a little-known former Socialist named justice minister.
Barnier, who is to address parliament with a key policy speech on Oct 1, was scheduled to make a TV appearance later Sunday.
