European leaders congratulate newly appointed French PM Barnier

European leaders and ministers congratulated newly appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, the European Union’s (EU) former Brexit negotiator.

European dignitaries, such as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, posted well wishes on their social media accounts, underscoring Barnier’s record as an EU official.

Congratulations to @MichelBarnier on your appointment as French Prime Minister.

We’ve known each other for many years and I am confident that you will do an excellent job serving the people of France and Europe. pic.twitter.com/uD09StzSiN

— Christine Lagarde (@Lagarde) September 5, 2024

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris saluted ‘a great friend of Irelands’, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also added a message of support.

I have been in contact with @MichelBarnier to congratulate him on his appointment as Prime Minister of France. He is well known to us for his role leading the negotiations for the EU during Brexit. He is a committed European, a great friend of Ireland’s & has great experience.

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 5, 2024

The discreet, conservative politician will have the daunting challenge of trying to push reforms and the 2025 budget, through a bitterly divided parliament, under the constant threat of a vote of no confidence.

Barnier is a staunch pro-European and a moderate career politician, though he toughened his discourse considerably during a failed 2021 bid to become his conservative party’s presidential nominee, saying immigration was out of control.

At 73, Barnier is the oldest prime minister in France’s modern political history, taking over from Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest.