France's New Center-Right Government

Published: Sep. 25, 2024

The French presidential palace unveiled a long-awaited new government Saturday dominated by conservatives and centrists, a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. This comes after a tumultuous period marked by a hung parliament and deepening political divisions, leaving France grappling with mounting financial and diplomatic challenges. The announcement of the new government, led by conservative Michel Barnier, has ignited protests across the country, with student groups and activists from the hard-left France Unbowed party expressing their discontent. They see the government as a rejection of the voters' will, a sentiment that underscores the deep divisions within French society.