French Prime minister unveils right-leaning cabinet, decried by the opposition

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00:00We have a team, now let's get to work.

00:05The words of France's Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, after the country's new right-leaning

00:09government was unveiled.

00:11The first major challenge he faces is handing over a draft budget to parliament along with

00:15his finance minister, and with the deadline meant to be October 1st, it's a tight turnaround.

00:21This week, Barnier described the country's financial situation as very serious, as it

00:26faces pressure from the EU to reduce its budget deficit.

00:31Barnier has floated tax hikes as a possible solution to the issue, a suggestion that has

00:35sparked debate across the political spectrum.

00:38Former finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, cut public spending by over 20 billion euros this

00:43year.

00:44Now, his successor, Antoine Armand, will be facing pressure to find a solution regarding

00:47how to finance public services, as some in France, particularly those in rural areas,

00:53have seen a decrease in their access to services, including emergency rooms, courts and classrooms.

01:00Barnier has also outlined immigration as one of his priorities.

01:04He has vowed a tougher stance on immigration, saying he believes that France's borders are

01:08quote civs and that migration flows are not being controlled.

01:12In 2021, when he was running in the right-wing presidential primary, Barnier proposed a moratorium

01:18on immigration of three to five years, a pledge which won the approval of the national rally.

01:24Barnier has also promised to be upfront about what he called France's ecological debt.

01:29Like the president, he believes in nuclear power as a way to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

01:34In 2021, he promised to quote reduce agricultural pollution with farmers, not against them.

01:40The former chief Brexit negotiator is to address parliament with a policy speech on October

01:451st.

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