**The Barnier Government: A Hard Right in Power**
Since taking office, Michel Barnier’s government has provoked strong reactions and raised questions about its political line. With members from the conservative right, notably the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, the first actions and statements of this government team seem to mark a shift to the right, thus causing unrest within the left wing of Macron’s party.
From the first days, the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, has positioned himself in favor of a reinforced security policy, emphasizing order in all circumstances. His remarks on the reform of State Medical Aid (AME) and on the execution of court sentences have provoked reactions and fueled the debate on the orientations of the new government.
For his part, Prime Minister Michel Barnier chose to call Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, to “reassure” after controversial statements by his Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, on the place of the far right in the political landscape. This approach highlighted the tensions and divergences within the presidential majority.
Reactions were not long in coming, particularly from deputies from the left wing of Macron’s party, who expressed their concerns about these signals, which they considered worrying. Some gave their support to Antoine Armand, stressing the need to remain vigilant in the face of populist and demagogic speeches.
However, the left wing of Macron’s party appears weakened and has little influence, with the departure of several of its members and the loss of representation in Parliament. Faced with this situation, some deputies are exercising caution and prefer not to speak publicly, fearing reprisals or disapproval from their own political movement.
In this context, the future of the left wing of Macronie seems uncertain, with some calling for a political recomposition and the creation of a centre-left group to represent a constructive opposition to the Barnier government. Sacha Houlié, the leading figure of this trend, remains an isolated player, trying in vain to mobilise his colleagues around an alternative political line.
In short, Michel Barnier’s government marks a shift to the right in the French political landscape, raising questions and tensions within the presidential majority. The balance between the different sensibilities within this coalition will be crucial for the future of the five-year term and for the cohesion of Macronie in a context marked by the upcoming elections.