Good morning from Brussels, Paris Although France’s prime minister rarely attracts the attention of leaders abroad – as the president has more power – the political circumstances made this time different. Known in Brussel from his “EU Brexit negotiator” post, Michel Barnier’s appointment was immediately hailed by EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen who focused on his pro-EU credentials. President Emmanuel Macron’s choice also pleased the political establishment in Berlin, while in London, opinions focused on the potential impact on the relations with the UK as well as his exact role in French politics. “An oddity to me is that Barnier’s forte is EU affairs, but Macron will want to keep primacy of French EU policy. And Barnier has not had experience as minister or député for the finances and budget which is going to be his biggest challenge, including keeping market confidence,” said Lord Peter Ricketts, chair of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee. Charles Szumski and Théo Bourgery-Gonse have all the details. Domestically, though, things are different. The far-right Rassemblement national (RN) holds Barnier’s fate in its hands and could decide at any moment to bring down the future government, writes Laurent Geslin. Meanwhile, La France insoumise far left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon – whose left coalition Nouveau Front Populaire ranked first in the recent legislative elections - said the “election was stolen from the French people” and called for massive protests over the weekend. | 