After months of political uncertainty following a snap legislative election, France appeared on the cusp of a new government on Thursday, as Prime Minister Michel Barnier was set to present his cabinet to President Emmanuel Macron, Reuters reports.
Macron appointed Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, as prime minister two weeks ago.
Barnier has struggled to name a new government, underlining the complicated topography of France's political landscape after Macron's ill-fated decision to call a snap legislative election.
It is now up to Macron to approve Barnier's cabinet.
BFM TV reported that Barnier had proposed conservative Senator Bruno Retailleau as interior minister, while Jean-Noel Barrot would be promoted to foreign minister, after formerly occupying the European affairs post in the ministry.
The government's priorities will include improving the public's purchasing power as well as guaranteeing security, controlling immigration and better managing the public finances, Barnier's office said.
Settling on a list of names to lead France's key offices of state has been challenging, particularly as the next government will likely have to administer a politically toxic round of spending cuts or tax hikes to improve the country's fiscal mess.
