President Macron Issues New Composition Of Right-wing Government In France

Demonstrations held By French Society (BBC)

JAKARTA - The new Macron administration is led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier who determines the presence of the right wing. In fact, the left wing currently won most of the parliamentary seats.

Despite the partnership between the Macron centrist and those on the right, parliament remains divided and will depend on the support of other parties to pass the law. This happened when the European Union notified France of its growing debt far beyond EU rules.

Among those who got positions in the new cabinet was Bruno Retailleau, a key member of the conservative Republican Party founded by former president Nicolas Sarkozy. He has been appointed interior minister, a portfolio that includes immigration.

Reporting from the BBC, as many as 10 Republican politicians have been given cabinet work, although Macron has maintained a number of ministers who will leave in important positions. Close allies Macron, Sebastien Lecornu, remain minister of defense, and Jean-Noel Barrot, European minister to step down, has been promoted to foreign minister.

Only one left-wing politician was given the position in the cabinet, namely independent Didier Migaud, who was appointed minister of justice. The position of finance minister was given to Antoine Armand, a member of Macron's own Renaissance party who, until now, is less known politically.

Armand is tasked with drafting a government budget law before the new year to address France's enormous deficit. Prior to the impromptu general election, the European Union's executive body warned France that they would be disciplined for violating the block's financial rules.

France's public sector deficit is projected to reach about 5.6% of GDP this year and exceed 6% by 2025. The EU has a deficit limit of 3%.

Michel Barnier, a veteran conservative, was appointed prime minister of Macron earlier this month. Barnier was previously the head of the European Union's Brexit negotiator, and it was he who handled the task of forming a new government capable of surviving the split National Assembly.

A member of the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP) has threatened no confidence in the new government. In July's election, the NFP won the most parliamentary seats of all political blocs, but not enough to reach the overall majority. Far-left wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for the new government to be "set aside" as soon as possible.