France's "cohabitation government" is encountering difficulties from the start. Le Monde reported on the 19th (local time) that President Emmanuel Macron and newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier are in conflict over the formation of the government.
Prime Minister Barnier, who plans to complete the government formation within this week, submitted a draft cabinet list to President Macron on the 17th. However, President Macron reportedly rejected the list, saying it included too many members from the right-wing Republican Party (LR), to which Barnier belongs.
The Republican Party secured only 47 seats in the recent early general election, ranking fourth. It is smaller in size than Macron's ruling party, which holds 97 seats. Nevertheless, Barnier is said to have demanded key positions such as the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economy, and about 30% of the cabinet seats.
As the Republican Party seeks to occupy core posts, there is backlash from the broader ruling coalition. About ten ruling coalition lawmakers who had lunch with President Macron the previous day warned that if Barnier's plan to assign them to minor ministerial positions becomes a reality, they will not support the Barnier government. President Macron is also said to have sympathized with them.
President Macron and Prime Minister Barnier also differ in opinion over tax increases. Barnier intends to consider tax hikes to address the fiscal deficit. On the other hand, President Macron has previously stated that there will be no tax increases. During the lunch, President Macron pointed out that Barnier is not in his position to undo what his government has accomplished. Interior Minister G?rald Darmanin also said the previous day that he cannot join a government that raises taxes, targeting Barnier.
Meanwhile, the ?lys?e Palace stated a fundamental policy of "leaving it to the prime minister" regarding the government formation.
According to Le Monde, Prime Minister Barnier met again with the speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate on the morning of the same day to finalize the government formation. The cabinet list is expected to be announced as early as late afternoon that day, or by the 20th at the latest.
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