Michel Barnier Premier Ministre: Hidalgo's Critique of PS Leadership

Hidalgo's Outrage Over PS Decision

The socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, voiced her strong discontent during a press conference regarding the appointment of Michel Barnier as the Prime Minister. She stated, 'I have known Michel Barnier, and he offered excellent advice during Paris's bid for the 2024 Olympics.' Hidalgo lamented that the French electorate deserved a leftist prime minister aligned with their votes, specifically mentioning Bernard Cazeneuve as a suitable candidate. She firmly accused her own party, the PS, of preventing Cazeneuve's nomination. "How could we have possibly missed this historic opportunity?" she pondered. Last Tuesday, after protracted discussions, the PS executive committee opted not to endorse Cazeneuve for the premiership, which came as a disappointment to the former prime minister of François Hollande, who had devoted 35 years to the party before leaving two years prior due to disagreements with the party leadership over alliances with Jean-Luc Mélenchon to create the Nupes.

Implications for Politics and Governance

This controversy raises critical questions regarding the current state of French governance and the role of major political institutions in shaping leadership choices. As political figures scrutinize the decisions made within the PS, the future of right- and left-leaning alliances becomes evident.