France’s New Government Holds First Meeting on Budget and Migration Issues

PARIS — The newly formed government in France, led by conservative and centrist factions, convened for its inaugural meeting on Monday, as Prime Minister Michel Barnier outlined key priorities such as budget reform and immigration control.

Prime Minister Barnier gathered his appointed ministers for discussions on Monday morning, ahead of a Cabinet session planned for later in the day with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee presidential palace.

The announcement of the government members had been eagerly awaited and was released on Saturday, coming over two months after the elections resulted in a hung parliament, highlighting significant political divides in France amid pressing financial and diplomatic concerns.

During his first televised interview post-appointment on Sunday evening, Barnier emphasized the importance of the upcoming 2025 budget bill, which is set to be debated by parliament starting next month. He recognized the substantial challenge that lies ahead for his administration.

Barnier called for a “national effort required to redress the situation,” highlighting concerns that France has been placed in a formal procedure by the European Union due to excessive debt levels. He affirmed his commitment to not increase the tax burden on the general population but indicated that contributions from the wealthier segments of society may be necessary.

In June, the EU Commission recommended that France and six other nations enter what’s known as an “excessive deficit procedure,” marking the initial phase in a lengthy process aimed at managing and correcting fiscal overspending.

In addition to fiscal matters, Barnier also addressed immigration in his Sunday interview, stating that the current number of migrants arriving in France has become “unbearable.” He pointed to measures enacted by neighboring countries, such as Germany, which recently established temporary controls at its borders.

Appointed earlier this month, Barnier’s first significant political challenge will unfold on October 1, when he is expected to present his general policy speech to the National Assembly, France’s influential lower house of parliament.

The left-wing coalition known as the New Popular Front emerged with the highest number of seats in the June-July parliamentary elections but was unable to secure an outright majority.

Despite holding a plurality, New Popular Front was neither empowered to form a minority government nor willing to join forces with left-leaning allies for a broader coalition, creating a predicament for parliamentary governance.

Barnier contended that the coalition formed by his conservative allies and Macron’s centrists would provide a more solid support base in the National Assembly. As a seasoned political figure at 73 years old, Barnier is recognized for his experience, particularly from his tenure as the EU’s chief negotiator during Brexit discussions.

He stated, “We’ll make compromises,” underscoring a commitment to cooperative governance that helped him successfully unite the EU’s 27 member states during Brexit negotiations.

Moreover, Barnier assured that no conflicts would arise between himself and Macron, citing the necessity of unity for the country’s interests despite their differing political backgrounds.

As the discussions around budget and immigration proceed, President Macron is scheduled to travel to New York for the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, followed by a two-day visit to Canada.

In the French political framework, the president typically assumes a dominant role in strategic defense and foreign policy matters, while the prime minister is tasked with domestic governance and policy implementation.