Macron names ex-Brexit negotiator Barnier as French PM

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00:00We have some breaking news out of the Elysee, the wait is finally over.

00:06We do have a name for the French Prime Minister's post.

00:10Nearly two months after that snap election was called,

00:14Michel Barnier, it seems we can go across to France 24's Claire Paquelin

00:19standing by outside the Elysee Palace. Claire, the wait's finally over.

00:26Yes, official confirmation has now come through.

00:29Michel Barnier will be the next Prime Minister of France.

00:33He's been named by the French President Emmanuel Macron.

00:36So let me give you a quick profile on Michel Barnier.

00:38Who is this man?

00:40Well, he was first elected to Parliament when he was only 27 years old in 1978.

00:45He's been a minister several times.

00:48He is a right-wing politician from the Les Républicains party.

00:52He was, of course, also the chief negotiator on behalf of the European Union

00:56when Britain was exiting from the European Union.

01:00So he's known here in France, considerable political experience,

01:03and he's known as well, of course, outside France.

01:07We do understand that with his line, his right-wing line,

01:10he was seen in the Elysee Palace as Macron-compatible

01:15and unlikely to run in the presidential elections,

01:18which are due in three years' time in 2027.

01:21Given his age, he's 73 years old.

01:24Of course, this nomination will lead to, I expect, ferocious attacks

01:28from the left wing here in France, that left-wing group in the New Popular Front,

01:33which won the most seats in the parliamentary elections at the start of the summer

01:37but fell well short of getting an overall majority.

01:41The left wing put forward its own choice, Lucie Casquet.

01:44That was rejected by Emmanuel Macron.

01:46He's gone for Michel Barnier.

01:48He's a right-wing politician, and he is the one to be the next Prime Minister of France.

01:52His job, of course, will be trying to get the support of Parliament.

01:55He needs MPs in Parliament to support him

01:58because they could overturn him in a vote of no confidence

02:01if they're not happy with his nomination.

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