Paris [France], September 22: The cabinet announced by President Macron , to be led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier , was formed 11 weeks after early parliamentary elections and French officials struggled to form a new government. AFP on September 22 quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying that the process of appointing 39 cabinet positions had been tense at times between Mr Macron and Mr Barnier.
The new French government is said to be right-wing. This has upset left-wing officials and members, who led the parliamentary elections. Left-wing politicians have vowed to challenge the new cabinet with a vote of no confidence . If the required number of votes is met, Barnier's cabinet will have to be dissolved.
In July's election, the left-wing coalition known as the New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats in parliament but fell short of a majority. President Macron has argued that the left will not be able to muster enough support to form a government without being immediately removed from power, so he wants to turn to allies, centrists and centre-right groups for support.
Many people took to the streets in France on September 21 to protest the new government, saying that the cabinet personnel did not reflect the results of the parliamentary elections. No one from the NFP alliance joined Mr. Barnier's cabinet.
The first major task for Chancellor Barnier's government is to present a 2025 budget plan to address France's financial situation, which Mr Barnier said was "very serious".
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
