Macron Faces Leadership Struggles After Appointing New Prime Minister

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French President Emmanuel Macron is finding it difficult to maintain his usual command since his new government was established earlier this month. Sources familiar with the situation report that Macron’s leadership style, once firmly top-down, is now facing challenges in light of changes within his administration.

 

Macron, who has been president for seven years, built his governance on a “Jupiterian” model, one where power flowed directly from the top. However, since the appointment of Prime Minister Michel Barnier and the introduction of a new cabinet, Macron’s influence appears to be diminishing. The new government includes a mix of staunch conservatives alongside Macron’s centrist allies, creating a complex dynamic.

 

One of Macron’s long-time allies remarked on the noticeable shift in decision-making. "Mechanically, decisions don’t go up the chain of command as much as before, the data is not quite so precise, and the conversations with ministers aren’t as sharp," said the ally, who spoke under anonymity. The source went on to describe a “vacuum effect” at the top of the government.

 

The changes have not only impacted Macron but also those working within his administration. A parliamentary adviser noted that many of Macron’s advisers have felt the effects of Barnier’s arrival. “[They] have lost 50 percent of their work and have been removed from cross-ministry meetings,” the adviser commented, highlighting the growing separation between Macron’s circle and Barnier’s new team.

 

The decision to appoint Barnier, former chief Brexit negotiator for the European Union, as prime minister came after a summer snap election that left the French parliament fractured. While the election saw gains for both the far left and far right, no single political force came close to securing a majority. In response, Macron’s move to appoint a conservative veteran like Barnier is seen as an attempt to break the deadlock, but it has also created an unusual power-sharing arrangement between the president and the right, even if some centrist allies remain in the government.

 

In fact, Macron himself has distanced himself from the newly appointed cabinet. “Not [my] government,” he reportedly commented last week. His discomfort with sharing power is evident, as he has often been known to bypass his prime ministers and take direct control in times of domestic crises. According to a government adviser, the new setup has left Macron unsettled. “When you change habits, it upsets, it unsettles, it can give you vertigo,” the adviser said. An official from Macron’s Renaissance party added that the president is now “looking for the instruction manual” as he navigates this unfamiliar terrain.

 

Macron’s frustrations have also surfaced publicly. During an official visit to Canada last week, he faced criticism from pro-Palestinian protesters, leading to a rare outburst. “If only they knew how hard we fight to improve things … I cannot but feel a sense of injustice when I’m challenged like that,” he told reporters, adding, “In France, it is also the same situation.”

 

Despite his continued efforts, some of Macron’s closest allies are skeptical about his ability to regain his previous level of control. One long-time confidant was blunt in their assessment. “The president can’t act and knows that he won’t regain the upper hand for the next three years,” the ally said, referring to the time remaining until the 2027 presidential election.

As Macron grapples with the changing dynamics of his administration, it remains to be seen how he will adapt to the new political reality, where power is no longer concentrated solely in his hands.

 

Based on a report from: Politico 2024-10-02