this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2024
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French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his new government almost three months after a snap general election delivered a hung parliament.

The long-awaited new line up, led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, marks a decisive shift to the right, even though a left-wing alliance won most parliamentary seats.

It comes as the European Union puts France on notice over its spiralling debt, which now far exceeds EU rules.

Among those gaining a position in the new cabinet is Bruno Retailleau, a key member of the conservative Republicans Party founded by former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Just one left-wing politician was given a post in the cabinet, independent Didier Migaud, who was appointed as justice minister.

France's public-sector deficit is projected to reach around 5.6% of GDP this year and go over 6% in 2025. The EU has a 3% limit on deficits.

Michel Barnier, a veteran conservative, was named as Macron’s prime minister earlier this month.

Members of the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP) have threatened a no-confidence motion in the new government.

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for the new government to "be got rid of" as soon as possible.

On Saturday, before the cabinet announcement, thousands of left-wing supporters demonstrated in Paris against the incoming government, arguing that the left’s performance in the election was not taken into consideration.

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[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 month ago (10 children)

So…does France go apeshit, or are they all revolutioned out?

[–] [email protected] 58 points 1 month ago (6 children)

To be fair we're pretty tired and hopeless, most people are apathetic now because nothing seems to be working.

Strikes and demonstrations are vilified by the media, the left is not united enough to hit as hard as they should, the president is a child throwing tantrums to have it the way he wants, the media is owned by very few people so they control the narrative, etc.

It honestly feels hopeless, most people want change, but to a lot of people the demonising of the left has worked and the far right seems to be a reasonable option now.

It's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better unfortunately...

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Sounds a bit like the US when you describe it that way…

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'd say we're still far from it, but that's definitely where we're headed full steam

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

I hope you can avoid it because it’s shit. 🙃

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