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Macron unveils new right-wing French government: French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his new government almost three months after a snap general election delivered a hung parliament. The long-awaited new line up, led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, marks a decisive shift to the right, even though a left-wing alliance won most parliamentary seats. Despite the partnership between Macron’s centrist party and those on the right, parliament remains fractured and will rely on the support of other parties to pass legislation. It comes as the European Union puts France on notice over its spiralling debt, which now far exceeds EU rules. Among those gaining a position in the new cabinet is Bruno Retailleau, a key member of the conservative Republicans Party founded by former president Nicolas Sarkozy. He has been appointed interior minister, a portfolio that includes immigration. A total of 10 politicians from the Republicans have been given cabinet jobs, though Macron has kept a number of outgoing ministers in key posts. Close Macron ally Sebastien Lecornu has been kept on as defence minister, and Jean-Noel Barrot, the outgoing Europe minister, has been promoted to foreign minister. Just one left-wing politician was given a post in the cabinet, independent Didier Migaud, who was appointed as justice minister. The post of finance minister went to Antoine Armand, a member of Macron’s own Renaissance party who, until now, was of little political renown. Armand has the task of drafting the government’s budget bill before the new year to address France’s dire deficit. Prior to the snap election, the European Union’s executive arm warned France that it would be disciplined for contravening the bloc’s financial rules. France’s public-sector deficit is projected to reach around 5.6% of GDP this year and go over 6% in 2025. The EU has a 3% limit on deficits. Michel Barnier, a veteran conservative, was named as Macron’s prime minister earlier this month. Barnier had been the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and it was he who tackled the task of forming a new government capable of surviving the fractured National Assembly. Members of the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP) have threatened a no-confidence motion in the new government. In the July election, the NFP won the most parliamentary seats of any political bloc, but not enough for an overall majority. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for the new government to “be got rid of” as soon as possible. On Saturday, before the cabinet announcement, thousands of left-wing supporters demonstrated in Paris against the incoming government, arguing that the left’s performance in the election was not taken into consideration. The alliance between centrist and conservative parties in the cabinet is not enough to pass legislation on its own. It will depend on others, such as Marine Le…

  Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader after months of slumping polls and internal division.   “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader,” Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit. It was not immediately clear how long Trudeau will remain in office as a caretaker premier. He said the Liberal leadership race will be “a robust, nationwide competitive process.” That means Trudeau will continue to lead Canada when incoming US president Donald Trump takes office this month and will be tasked with leading the country’s initial response to the new US administration, including a possible trade war. Trump has vowed to impose 25 percent on all Canadian imports, which could prove devastating to the Canadian economy, and Trudeau has vowed to retaliate. Trudeau’s support within the Liberal party had been teetering through much of last year but plunged to new depths following the surprise resignation in December of his former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of focusing on political gimmicks to appease voters, including a costly Christmas tax holiday, instead of steadying Canada’s finances ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs. Canadian media have tipped Freeland as a possible contender to taker over the Liberal Party along with the former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a Canadian who also previously led the Bank of Canada. Lori Turnbull, a political science professor at Dalhousie University, said traditionally a Liberal leadership race would take four to six months but this time “they’ve got to be quicker than that.” “If they don’t have a new leader for the next election, then there’s no point,” she told newsmen. Trudeau’s Liberals are trailing badly in the polls to the opposition Conservatives and narrowly survived three non-confidence votes in parliament late last year. His minority government had been held up by a deal with the left-wing New Democratic Party but in December the NDP said they would vote to topple Trudeau at the next opportunity. ALSO READ: RIVERS POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS FOR DEFRAUDING CANADA-BASED NIGERIAN Trudeau confirmed that he had received permission from Canada’s governor general to suspend all parliamentary business until March 24. That could could give the Liberals time to choose a new leader while restricting the opposition chances to bring a vote of non-confidence.

  Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader after months of slumping polls and internal division.   “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader,” Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit. It was not immediately clear how long Trudeau will remain in office as a caretaker premier. He said the Liberal leadership race will be “a robust, nationwide competitive process.” That means Trudeau will continue to lead Canada when incoming US president Donald Trump takes office this month and will be tasked with leading the country’s initial response to the new US administration, including a possible trade war. Trump has vowed to impose 25 percent on all Canadian imports, which could prove devastating to the Canadian economy, and Trudeau has vowed to retaliate. Trudeau’s support within the Liberal party had been teetering through much of last year but plunged to new depths following the surprise resignation in December of his former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of focusing on political gimmicks to appease voters, including a costly Christmas tax holiday, instead of steadying Canada’s finances ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs. Canadian media have tipped Freeland as a possible contender to taker over the Liberal Party along with the former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a Canadian who also previously led the Bank of Canada. Lori Turnbull, a political science professor at Dalhousie University, said traditionally a Liberal leadership race would take four to six months but this time “they’ve got to be quicker than that.” “If they don’t have a new leader for the next election, then there’s no point,” she told newsmen. Trudeau’s Liberals are trailing badly in the polls to the opposition Conservatives and narrowly survived three non-confidence votes in parliament late last year. His minority government had been held up by a deal with the left-wing New Democratic Party but in December the NDP said they would vote to topple Trudeau at the next opportunity. ALSO READ: RIVERS POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS FOR DEFRAUDING CANADA-BASED NIGERIAN Trudeau confirmed that he had received permission from Canada’s governor general to suspend all parliamentary business until March 24. That could could give the Liberals time to choose a new leader while restricting the opposition chances to bring a vote of non-confidence.

“[W]hen Prime Ministers Harper and Trudeau justified their prorogations, they offered two similar reasons, one technical and one policy-driven. The technical justification is that prorogation is an opportunity to recalibrate, refresh, or reset the government’s agenda. The policy-driven justification has been to use prorogation to focus on the economy. The consistent invocation of economic language to justify prorogation is yet another sign of the continued importance of economic issues to voters, regardless of the prime minister in power. ...[A]s a political tool, prorogation actually works, especially in minority settings. For all the sound and fury coming from the media and opposition parties, the 2008 coalition fell apart, the Afghan Detainees and WE Charity scandals faded into the background, and Prime Ministers Harper and Trudeau successfully reset their parliamentary agendas to purportedly focus on the economy. While the timing of previous uses may have marginally increased the political costs of prorogation, it has not stopped prime ministers from using it when politically expedient. There is no clear political cost for proroguing parliament.” - Dave Snow, Associate professor at the University of Guelph and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute You can read the rest of his commentary here: https://lnkd.in/gwpY2P9E

François Bayrou Named Prime Minister: A New Chapter for France Amid Political Turmoil 🇫🇷⚖️ President Emmanuel Macron has appointed 73-year-old François Bayrou as France’s new prime minister. 🇫🇷 His selection signals a decisive attempt to steer the nation through its fractured political landscape and mounting economic challenges. With decades of political experience and a reputation as a centrist ally, Bayrou brings a steady hand to a deeply divided National Assembly. Bayrou, leader of the Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, is no stranger to the pressures of high office. Having served as education minister and a three-time presidential candidate, his name has long been synonymous with French politics. 📜 Macron’s choice reflects his need for a figure who can bridge the ideological divides between the left and right factions in parliament. Bayrou’s first task is nothing short of monumental: forming a government that can withstand the political crossfire and avoid the fate of his predecessor, Michel Barnier. 🏛️ The challenges ahead are daunting. France’s budget deficit, exceeding 6% of GDP, must be brought under control without alienating a parliament that has proven it can unite to topple governments. 📉 Debt reduction, which Bayrou called a “moral obligation,” will be his administration’s focal point. Balancing fiscal responsibility while addressing the cost-of-living crisis and defense spending will require extraordinary political finesse. 💼 Bayrou’s appointment comes against the backdrop of a National Assembly that remains deeply divided. 🎭 Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose party contributed to Barnier’s downfall, has already warned that failure to consult the opposition on the next budget could lead to another collapse. Meanwhile, far-left leaders have dismissed Bayrou as a mere continuation of Macronism. Yet, his ability to maintain “passable relations” with multiple factions offers a glimmer of hope for consensus-building. ✍️ At Friday’s red-carpet transition ceremony, Bayrou acknowledged the enormity of his new role. “No one knows the difficulty of the situation better than I do,” he said solemnly. 🎤 His promise to “hide nothing, neglect nothing, and leave nothing aside” speaks to his intent to foster transparency and collaboration. But words must soon be followed by action. His government’s survival will depend on finding common ground across France’s polarized political spectrum. 🌐 For Macron, Bayrou represents more than just a safe pair of hands. 🤝 His long-standing alliance with the president, dating back to 2017, reinforces the trust needed in this critical moment. However, the weight of expectations on Bayrou’s shoulders is immense. With European allies closely watching France’s ability to overcome internal instability, his success—or failure—could shape not only the nation’s future but its role in Europe and beyond. 🌍 Read more: https://da.gd/Oq1YIr #Leadership #Politics #France #FrançoisBayrou #EmmanuelMacron

This week after nearly ten years as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation pending the selection of a new Liberal Party of Canada • Parti Libéral du Canada leader. Additionally, Trudeau announced the prorogation of Parliament until March 24th. But what is prorogation? Prorogation is a royal prerogative of the Crown, used by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Both the Senate and the House of Commons are discounted until the next session and the parliamentary agenda is reset. What does this mean for parliamentary activities? As the parliamentary agenda is reset, all current government bills which have not received royal assent are effectively dead and will need to be reintroduced as new bills in the next session. For example, the Capital Gains Inclusion Rate which has yet to receive Royal Assent has been erased and will need to be reintroduced while the Federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program which has already received Royal Assent will remain in place. While the Speaker, Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, and Members of the House remain in office and retain their full rights and privileges Members are released from all parliamentary duties until March 24th. House Committees also automatically lose their mandate, and powers upon prorogation. As a result, House committees will need to be re-constituted, and a new Chair appointed. What does prorogation not affect? Prorogation does not affect Orders or Addresses of the House for tabling government reports. Requests for responses to Committee reports are also still valid and continue in force from one session to another and are only ended by dissolution. Additionally, prorogation does not affect Private Member’s business. Private Members’ bills and motions which originated from the House also do not need to be reintroduced in a new session. Over the following months while the Liberal Party of Canada • Parti Libéral du Canada begins to select a new leader it will remain to be seen if the current government will be able to hold onto power once parliament resumes in March.

France’s government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote, the first such event since 1962. The motion, backed by 331 MPs, came just three months after Barnier was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. His controversial use of special powers to pass a budget without parliamentary approval triggered widespread criticism. Opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally (RN) and the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), united against Barnier, deeming his €60bn deficit reduction plan unacceptable. Barnier’s reliance on presidential decrees to push through social security reforms further alienated lawmakers. This political upheaval deepens instability in France, which has struggled to form a majority in parliament following summer snap elections. Barnier’s removal underscores tensions within the fractured political landscape, as rival factions continue to clash over fiscal policies and governance. Barnier defended his actions, calling for responsibility in addressing France’s debt. “We have reached a moment of truth,” he told the National Assembly. Despite his efforts, criticism of Macron’s decision to appoint him as a centrist compromise over left-wing candidates persists. Barnier is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister while Macron selects a successor. Although the vote does not directly impact Macron’s presidency, the fallout has fueled growing calls for him to resign before his term ends in 2027.

Three Circle Justin Trudeau Resigns as Leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, Steps Down as Prime Minister In a dramatic shift, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, citing growing internal strife within his government and mounting pressure from within his party. Trudeau’s decision to step down follows the unexpected resignation of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, which marked a significant turning point in his leadership. With a somber tone, Trudeau, fighting back tears, acknowledged that the time had come for a new direction. “I have come to the realization that I cannot lead our party through the next elections amid internal conflicts,” he stated. Trudeau confirmed that he would remain in office as Prime Minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen, but his departure from the political stage seems imminent. His announcement came outside his official residence, where he reiterated his commitment to Canada and democracy. “This job has always been about putting the interests of Canadians and our democracy first,” he explained, emphasizing his dedication to the country’s well-being despite the political turmoil. As Parliament, which was set to resume on January 27, will now be suspended until March 24 to accommodate a leadership race, the stage is set for a spring election. Opposition parties, unified in their opposition to Trudeau’s government, have already announced plans for a no-confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes. This likely paves the way for a new Liberal leader to take charge just in time for the upcoming election. Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of an era. After his rise to power in 2015, following a decade of Conservative rule, he was heralded as the hope for a progressive Canada. However, over the years, Trudeau’s popularity has waned due to various contentious issues, including soaring housing costs, rising immigration, and handling of the economy. The political landscape in Canada has grown increasingly unstable, with Trudeau’s approval ratings plunging, particularly among voters struggling with the economic hardships of rising prices. His government’s handling of the U.S. trade tariffs imposed by President-elect Donald Trump has only added to the growing challenges. In December, Trudeau’s Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigned in protest over Trudeau’s economic policies, particularly in response to Trump’s tariff threats. Freeland’s resignation, coupled with the housing minister’s departure, fueled public speculation about the viability of Trudeau’s leadership. The Liberal Party, once seen as an iconic institution in Canadian politics, now faces a difficult journey ahead. #GratienMukeshimana #28COE #28coeecosystem #threecircle #canada https://lnkd.in/dXfr7eBb