“Overwhelmed” by events, “amateurism”… Behind the scenes, some resigning ministers tackle Michel Barnier

Two weeks after his appointment to Matignon, the pitfalls continue to pile up for Michel Barnier and Emmanuel Macron, who are now facing general annoyance.

When will there be a Michel Barnier government? The question still remains unanswered, Thursday, September 19, while the new Prime Minister had promised it for this week. On Wednesday, the latter met Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée, after having cancelled two meetings: one with the leader of the Macronist deputies, Gabriel Attal, the other with the leading figures of the Republicans. Should we see this as proof that the composition of his government team seems to be slipping, or even turning into a headache?

Behind the scenes, in any case, everyone is getting annoyed… and some are letting loose.Emmanuel Macron makes Michel Barnier’s life impossible!“, confides a leading member of the LR, who puts the postponement of the meeting on the back of the President of the Republic.”He meddles in everything, all the time, even though he promised his Prime Minister that he would give him free rein.“, storms a deputy. At stake: the key positions of the future government and in particular the Ministry of the Interior that Emmanuel Macron does not seem ready to cede to the right.

And for his part, Emmanuel Macron is not giving up: he is demanding a government of national unity, nothing but a government of national unity.The Prime Minister has the upper hand, the mandate has not changed“, justifies the Elysée, when an advisor still in office specifies: “It’s the hot potato, Barnier has a fireball in his hands“.

In the eyes of many of the president’s close friends and relatives, Michel Barnier is “exceeds“by events,”unable to open the door“, to left-wing personalities.”He wants to bring Retailleau and Wauquiez into the government, that’s blocking everyone“, one of them chokes, unable to say what his policy will be: tax increases or not.

But “Michel Barnier is angry”says a LR, who denounces the attitude of certain resigning ministers who would act “on duty for the Head of State“. Objective: to put pressure on the new tenant of Matignon.”But be careful, he doesn’t like pressure.“, warns an advisor.

“He’s going about it the wrong way, it’s amateurish!“, continues the entourage of a resigning minister, who even lets slip: “If I were him, I would resign!“

Is Michel Barnier seriously considering throwing in the towel?This is the riskrecognizes a deputy from the presidential camp. Michel Barnier tells us: go to hell. But we are still a long way off!“Another Macronist MP expressed his concern: if the new Prime Minister slams the door, France is heading towards a certain regime crisis. And he concluded: “The next topic is Macron resignation“.