London | French President Emmanuel Macron has sprung a political surprise by tapping Michel Barnier, the EU’s former Brexit negotiator and the nemesis of Britain’s Brexiteers, as his prime minister.
Mr Macron, a centrist liberal, has turned to the 73-year-old veteran conservative in desperation. The president’s decision to call a snap election in June backfired badly, producing a parliament riven between irreconcilable far-left and hard-right blocs.
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Hans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
