New French PM nearing deal on cabinet, BFM TV says


  • World
  • Friday, 20 Sep 2024

FILE PHOTO: France newly appointed Prime minister Michel Barnier looks on during the handover ceremony at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, September 5, 2024. Stephane De Sakutin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who met with several party leaders on Thursday, could be nearing a deal on a cabinet, French media said, two weeks after President Emmanuel Macron named him to the post.

Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, has struggled to name a new government, underlining the complicated topography of France's political landscape after Macron's ill-fated decision to call a snap legislative election this summer.

The vote delivered an unruly hung parliament that has left political unity hard to come by.

Citing comments by former prime minister Gabriel Attal to his party after meeting with Barnier, BFM TV said there was a deal on a government of 16 ministers and 22 junior ministers, from centrist and conservative parties.

Neither Attal nor Barnier made any comment.

Even if a preliminary deal is confirmed, it would still require the approval of French President Emmanuel Macron, whom French media said Barnier would meet in the evening.

Settling on a list of names to lead France's key offices of state has been challenging, particularly as the next government will likely have to administer a politically toxic round of spending cuts or tax hikes to improve the country's fiscal mess.

(Reporting by Zhifan Liu, Tassilo Hummel; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Conor Humphries)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Mozambique early vote counting under way after peaceful election
Hundreds gather to pay last respects to India's iconic business tycoon Ratan Tata
Hurricane Milton weakens as it marches across central Florida, homes destroyed
EU's von der Leyen in Moldova in show of support ahead of election
India's Congress party complains to election body over outcome of state poll
One in eight girls and women raped or sexually assaulted before age 18, UNICEF says
South Korea's Yoon, Japan's Ishiba to meet on sidelines of ASEAN gathering
Most gamers prefer single-player games
‘Persona’ maker flips to fantasy in latest game release
Hurricane Milton marches across central Florida, destroying homes

Others Also Read