France unveils new government amid political deadlock

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - France announced a new government Saturday, ending months of political uncertainty following an inconclusive snap election that resulted in a hung parliament.

President Emmanuel Macron's Chief of Staff Alexis Kohler announced the 39-member Cabinet from the Elysee Palace.

"A team! Now let's get to work!" Prime Minister Michel Barnier, the EU's former Brexit negotiator, wrote on X in announcing his Cabinet.

Bruno Retailleau, leader of The Republicans in the Senate, becomes interior minister and pledged to be "the first line of support" for law enforcement.

Jean-Noel Barrot, formerly digital transition minister, takes over as Europe minister and foreign affairs. Barrot committed to "making the voice of France heard" on international challenges.

Sebastien Lecornu retains his position as head of for the armed forces and veterans, a post he has held since May 2022.

Francois-Noel Buffet, a Senator since 2004, was appointed minister to the prime minister, responsible for overseas France.

Macron called for the first Cabinet meeting to be held Monday.

- 'Government of the hard right'

The new government faced immediate criticism from opposition parties.

Lucie Castets from the New Popular Front (NFP) decried government as a "government of the hard right," and said: "Democracy is humiliated tonight."

Leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon called it a "Macronist disaster movie."

"We need to get rid of it as soon as possible," added Melenchon.

Earlier Saturday. protesters accused Macron of ignoring the results of recent general elections won by NFP, a left-green alliance.

Legislative elections took place in June 30 and July 7 to select the 577 representatives for the 17th National Assembly of the Fifth French Republic. The election was prompted by the dissolution of the National Assembly by Macron after the far-right National Rally (RN) achieved significant victories in the 2024 European Parliament elections in France.