Von der Leyen and Metsola welcome Barnier’s appointment as France’s Prime Minister

Barnier appointed France's new PM (File)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed the appointment of Michel Barnier, the EU's former Brexit negotiator, as France's prime minister.

"Congratulations," said von der Leyen, the head of the EU's executive branch.

"I know that Michel Barnier has the interests of Europe and France at heart, as his long experience shows. I wish him every success in his new mission," she wrote in a post on X.

Flicitations @MichelBarnier pour sa nomination au poste de Premier Ministre. Je sais que Michel Barnier a les intrts de lEurope et de la France coeur, comme le dmontre sa longue exprience.Je lui souhaite beaucoup de succs dans sa nouvelle mission.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 5, 2024

At 73, Barnier is now the oldest premier in modern French history, succeeding Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest.

Barnier previously served as French foreign minister and EU commissioner. In 2014, he unsuccessfully sought the role of European Commission president.

Barnier is best known for leading the Brexit negotiations on behalf of the EU from 2016 to 2020. He worked closely with von der Leyen after she took office in 2019, later serving as her special advisor on Brexit in 2021.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also extended her "warmest congratulations."

"In all his roles, Michel Barnier has shown leadership, vision, and organisational skills," Metsola wrote on X.

Dans tous les postes qu'il a occups, @MichelBarnier a fait preuve de leadership, de vision et de mthode.Je suis convaincue qu'il fera le meilleur usage de son exprience et de ses comptences en tant que nouveau Premier ministre franais.Mes plus chaleureuses flicitations! pic.twitter.com/96ZSZmC0NE

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) September 5, 2024

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as prime minister, ending a 50-day caretaker government. Barnier, a veteran right-wing Republican, replaces Gabriel Attal, who served just eight months in office.

Attal, 35, is less than half Barnier’s age. The left-wing opposition, dismayed by the appointment, may pursue a no-confidence motion. While a left-wing coalition emerged as France’s largest political force after recent elections, it lacks an overall majority. Macron’s centrist faction and the far right form the two other major groups in the National Assembly.

(Inputs from AFP)