POLITICS – Are the criteria met? By appointing Michel Barnier, former Brexit negotiator and right-wing man at Matignon, Emmanuel Macron does not escape accusations of “democratic hold-up” by the left. But the new 73-year-old head of government is meeting other demands of the President of the Republic.
Michel Barnier appointed Prime Minister: the oldest head of government of the Fifth Republic succeeds the youngest
Starting with the main criterion: avoiding censure in the National Assembly. Michel Barnier will not have the support of the NFP parties. But within the presidential camp, the risk of general opposition seems limited – without excluding some gnashing in the left wing. On the right, the former candidate for the LR primary for 2022 is assured of having the support of Laurent Wauquiez’s troops. The National Rally remains, which has become an “arbiter” of the situation. Unlike Xavier Bertrand or Bernard Cazeneuve, the RN has made it known that it will not oppose Michel Barnier on principle. “We will judge on the evidence”Jordan Bardella said on his terms: « respect » RN voters, consultations for the 2025 budget, debate on proportional representation, and commitment on purchasing power, insecurity and the fight against immigration.
Not a carte blanche, then, but not a bad start either. Because during his long career, Michel Barnier has held positions that are likely not to displease the extreme right. “He seems to meet at least the first criterion that we had requested, that is to say a man who is respectful of the different political forces and capable of addressing the National Rally in the same way as the other groups.”Marine Le Pen reacted to LCI.
Veil, security and the immigration referendum
If he holds the same speech as in 2022, Michel Barnier’s positions on immigration will indeed speak to the RN. In September 2021, just a few months after his departure from Brussels and in the middle of the race for the LR nomination for the presidential election, he castigated the European Court of Justice, believing that in matters of immigration “regain our legal sovereignty”. As an echo of the positions of the RN which defends the primacy of French law over European law.
The former European Commissioner also proposed a referendum on immigration, the introduction of annual visa quotas, the tightening of access to social assistance and the elimination of State Medical Aid (AME). “except emergency”. These are points defended by the extreme right during the debates on the immigration law.
Furthermore, in its proposals for “guarantee the security of the French”Michel Barnier proposed “the systematic expulsion of prisoners sentenced to prison” – the principle of the ” double punishment ” Honey to the ears of Marine Le Pen who, in March 2024, demanded on France Inter that “When a foreigner is in an irregular situation, (…) when he commits an offence, he must not be able to remain on the territory.” And a speech that was not unpleasant to hear for certain Renaissance executives, including Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
In May 2021, Michel Barnier also pleaded for “clearly reaffirm that religious symbols cannot enter public spaces”in the program Le Grand Jury for RTL-Le Figaro-LCI. The ban on the veil in public spaces has been on the National Rally’s agenda since 2017. During the 2022 presidential campaign, the party slightly amended the form of its speech – without touching the substance.
On Europe and pensions, common ground with Macron
Beyond the potential pledges given to Marine Le Pen’s troops, Michel Barnier also shares some of Emmanuel Macron’s visions. On Europe in particular, about which he validates the term ” Europe power » used by Emmanuel Macron. In April 2024, he also said ” All right “ with the Head of State on the need for the 27 to invest more in the European economy, in the face of American and Chinese rivals. The same goes for the Macronist idea of a “European defence initiative”.
What about national politics? In Emmanuel Macron’s eyes, Michel Barnier has a major advantage: that of not unraveling the pension reform, a flagship measure of the second five-year term. Because less than two years before the reform supported by the presidential camp, Michel Barnier proposed to push back the legal retirement age to 65, one year more than the 64 imposed by Macronie.
In addition to these fundamental convergences, Michel Barnier can also draw on his experience: four times minister, president of the General Council, political advisor (to Nicolas Sarkozy), MEP, senator and MP. Not to mention his four years as European Brexit negotiator. A more than useful skill, given the colouring of the National Assembly.
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