President Macron’s appointment of Barnier has sparked huge controversy in France.
France is in political turmoil.
After months of deadlock, President Emmanuel Macron appointed a new prime minister.
Republican Michel Barnier, 73, was the European Commission’s chief negotiator in the negotiations over Britain’s departure from the European Union.
But Macron’s appointments of right-wing politicians have infuriated those on the left.
They argue that their left-wing coalition won the most votes in the early general election and deserves a prime minister who reflects that result.
The country is facing pressure on multiple fronts as the government has been unable to keep the fiscal deficit within limits and reach an agreement on the budget.
So will this latest spat undermine those efforts? And how will Macron and Barnier navigate this new political landscape?
Presenter: James Bays
guest
Jack Leland – Senior Fellow at the Global Policy Institute
Rainbow Murray – Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London and expert on French politics
Diane de Vignemont – historian and political journalist