Gabriel Attal

France's new PM tackles first challenge of forming cabinet

France's new right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier started consulting all sides on Sept. 6 to cobble together a government capable of mustering a majority in parliament after two months of political deadlock.

The 73-year-old, a former foreign minister who recently acted as the European Union's Brexit negotiator, is the oldest premier in the history of modern France.

French president rules out left-wing government amid bitter deadlock

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ruled out naming a left-wing government to end the country's political deadlock, saying it would be a threat to "institutional stability."

While Macron said he would start new talks Tuesday to find a prime minister, left-wing parties reacted with fury to his announcement, calling for street protests and the impeachment of the president.

Far right's election gains rattle EU's traditional powers

Far-right parties rattled the traditional powers in the European Union with major gains in parliamentary seats, dealing an especially humiliating defeat to French President Emmanuel Macron, who called snap legislative elections.

The outcome showed the 27-nation bloc's parliament membership has clearly shifted to the right.

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