Macron Says He Will Introduce New Prime Minister in Coming Days

Following the no-confidence vote by the French Parliament against the government and the resignation of the Prime Minister, the President of France announced that he will soon introduce a new Prime Minister. Emmanuel Macron stated in a brief televised speech on Thursday evening, December 6, that he will introduce the successor to Michel Barnier 'in the coming days,' and the main priority of the new government will be the approval of the 2025 budget bill in Parliament. Michel Barnier, a conservative politician, led the shortest government in modern French history, lasting only three months. On Wednesday, 331 members of the French Parliament voted no confidence in the government, and Michel Barnier submitted his resignation to Emmanuel Macron on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, a special law to extend the 2024 budget will soon be presented to prevent a legal vacuum for financial matters in France; the complete budget bill will be submitted by the new government to Parliament by early next year. A few months ago, following the victories of some right-wing figures and parties in the European Parliament, Emmanuel Macron announced early parliamentary elections in France, which resulted in a highly fragmented parliament in June. However, Macron rejected the criticism on Thursday evening that he is responsible for the current political crisis in France: 'The French government has fallen; a deep political crisis in the second largest economy in Europe.' In his remarks, the French President also accused far-right and leftist parties of colluding in a front 'against republicanism' to oust Michel Barnier and create chaos. He dismissed calls from some of his opponents for his resignation, emphasizing that he will remain in office until the end of his term in 2027. Macron stated: 'The opportunity you have given me is five years long, and I will continue to work until the end of it.' In his brief remarks, the French President did not mention the name of the new Prime Minister. However, French media have named several political figures as potential candidates for the premiership, including Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of Defense, Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, and François Bayrou, a former leftist presidential candidate. Choosing someone who will not immediately face negative reactions from one of the current fragmented parliamentary factions is not an easy task; a similar challenge occurred in September following the resignation of Gabriel Attal from the premiership, and he continued in his role for two months. Emmanuel Macron has asked Michel Barnier to continue in his position until the new Prime Minister is appointed. The person who is introduced as the next Prime Minister of France will also face the same challenges that led to the fall of Michel Barnier's government, particularly the approval of a budget bill that does not further increase pressures on the middle classes.