The first steps of the Barnier authorities, “the end of an era” in Macronie | EUROtoday

Pouring rain is falling within the courtyard of the Elysée. “It's autumn”sums up, with a set smile, Bruno Retailleau, as if to raised signify that summer season and the “ Olympic Truce » decreed in July by Emmanuel Macron, is now over. On Monday, September 23, the brand new Minister of the Interior entered the presidential palace to attend the first council of ministers of Michel Barnier's government. Around the huge rectangular table set up in the winter garden, the team of 39 ministers is almost complete. Only the tenant of the Quai d'Orsay, Jean-Noël Barrot, on his way to the UN General Assembly in New York, is excused.

“ Here we’re gathered for this primary council of ministers of a brand new period within the lifetime of our nation.”says the President of the Republic. A “new time” which brought together at the top of the State representatives of the presidential camp and the Republicans (LR) party among the most critical of Macronie. To the left of Emmanuel Macron, Mr. Retailleau, LR senator from Vendée, described as the heavyweight of this new team, did he not judge, barely two years ago, that the President of the Republic had “broken France” ?

“You are right here on the proposal of the Prime Minister, I’ve appointed you and you’ll have to act within the service of France and the French individuals,” says the tenant of the Elysée to better indicate that this government is not entirely his, but is above all the choice of Michel Barnier, a member of the LR. “Everyone around the table is the custodian of a mission greater than themselves.” insists the head of state, calling on ministers to demonstrate “audacity” and of” ambition “. “From the place I’m, I’ll provide help to,” he finally swears, before letting his prime minister speak. Less than thirty minutes later, everyone rushes into their sedans, without the joy and effusion customary in previous reshuffles. The family photo, due to the rain, is postponed. It will probably take place the following Friday, on the occasion of the government seminar that is to be held at Matignon.

The troops of the head of state must get used to the idea of ​​sharing power. Or even giving it up. A few hours earlier, the handovers between ministers had taken place one after the other, revealing the emotion of some and the sadness of others. “We felt delight and nostalgia, it's the tip of an period,” observes the previous Paris MP and early Macronist Clément Beaune.

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