Macron names EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister

PARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron named on Thursday the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister, after more than 50 days of a caretaker government.

The appointment of the 73-year-old Barnier follows weeks of intense efforts by Macron and his aides to bring an intense period of political turmoil to an end by finding a government leader who can survive in France's newly fractured political landscape.

Barnier faces the tough task of having to work with the bitterly divided, hung parliament that emerged from legislative elections that Macron called in June, in a huge surprise.

Without a legislative majority of his own behind him, Barnier will need to find loose ad hoc groupings of backers in the National Assembly to tackle France's pressing issues — including the budget for 2025.

Barnier could quickly face possible attempts in parliament to topple the new government he will now put together and lead. Opponents of Macron on the left of French politics immediately portrayed the appointment of the conservative Barnier as a slap in the face of those who voted for them.

A statement from Macron's office announcing Barnier's appointment said he'd been tasked “with forming a unifying government to serve the country and the French people.”

“This appointment comes after an unprecedented cycle of consultations during which, in accordance with his constitutional duty, the president ensured that the prime minister and the future government would meet the conditions to be as stable as possible and give themselves the chances of uniting as broadly as possible,” the statement said.

Barnier, a career politician proud of his humble roots in France’s Alpine region of Haute-Savoie, is no stranger to complex and difficult tasks: He was the European Union’s chief negotiator in the difficult talks with Britain over its Brexit departure from the bloc.

Barnier replaces Gabriel Attal, who was France's youngest-ever prime minister and first openly gay head of government when he was appointed in January at age 34.

Attal resigned on July 16 following quick-fire legislative elections that produced a divided and hung parliament, plunging France into intense political uncertainty.

But Macron kept Attal and his ministers on in a caretaker capacity, handling day-to-day affairs, so political instability wouldn’t overshadow the July 26-Aug. 11 Paris Olympics, when France was in the global spotlight.

In political career over more than 50 years, Barnier has served as French foreign, European affairs, environment and agriculture minister — and twice as a European commissioner.

Influential far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon immediately came out against Barnier’s appointment and predicted the new prime minister would not get a majority backing in the bitterly divided National Assembly.

Melenchon said the appointment flew in the face of the July 7 legislative election results that left parliament’s lower house split between three main blocs — the left, including Melenchon’s party; the center where Macron has based his support, and the far right, converging around anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen.

“The election has been stolen,” Melenchon asserted.

Le Pen, on the other hand, indicated that she's willing to give Barnier a chance but said her National Rally party won't take part in his government because the new prime minister “does not share our ideas.”

She says the 2025 budget will be a priority for Barnier's government; it faces a tight deadline to deliver one. France is also under pressure from the European Union to get its finances in order, with Brussels having rebuked Paris for running up excessive debt.

“Barnier is a man respectful of other political forces," Le Pen said. “It’s important because compromises will have to be reached, considering the state of France’s budget.”

Associated Press journalist Diane Jeantet in Paris contributed.

FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, right, whispers to European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as he visits the International Agriculture Fair, in Paris, France. President Emmanuel Macron named the former EU Brexit negotiator as France's new prime minister on Thursday after more than 50 days of caretaker government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

FILE - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, and European Commission's Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom Michel Barnier address a media conference on Brexit negotiations at EU headquarters in Brussels, on Dec. 24, 2020. President Emmanuel Macron named the former EU Brexit negotiator as France's new prime minister on Thursday after more than 50 days of caretaker government. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool, File)

File - Michel Barnier, supporter of conservative presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse speaks during a campaign rally on Feb. 13, 2022 in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron named the former EU Brexit negotiator as France's new prime minister on Thursday after more than 50 days of caretaker government. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Youth and Artificial Intelligence Forum at the InGrid-Schneider Electric LLC Company, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. During a two-day visit to Serbia by French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

French President Emmanuel Macron addresses attendees at the Youth and Artificial Intelligence Forum at the InGrid-Schneider Electric LLC Company, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. During a two-day visit to Serbia by French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford and nearly all of his fellow offensive starters watched the Los Angeles Rams' regular-season finale in street clothes. Coach Sean McVay knew his NFC West champions would fall from the third to the fourth playoff seed if they lost to Seattle, but he didn't care.

Jimmy Garoppolo and the backups nearly beat the Seattle Seahawks anyway, and that looks like an encouraging sign for the Rams next week and beyond.

“We've got some dawgs on this team, man,” Garoppolo said. “I know we're going to show up next week ready to roll.”

Geno Smith passed for 223 yards and threw his career-best fourth touchdown pass to Noah Fant with 3:19 to play, and the Seahawks finished their 12th winning season in 13 years with a 30-25 victory over the playoff-bound Rams on Sunday.

Garoppolo passed for 334 yards and two TDs in his debut for the Rams (10-7), who had already clinched the division title through strength of schedule before they hosted the Seahawks (10-7).

In keeping with McVay’s career-long policy of prioritizing rest and health over meaningless results, Los Angeles sat Stafford along with receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, running back Kyren Williams and four starting offensive linemen.

But the Rams’ first loss since Nov. 24 dropped them to the fourth seed in the NFC playoff bracket behind Tampa Bay (10-7), which beat New Orleans.

That means Los Angeles’ visitor in the wild-card round on Monday night will be a 14-win team — the fifth-seeded loser of Minnesota’s showdown with Detroit on Sunday night.

“I really don’t,” McVay said when asked if he cared. “You know what’s at stake and you have tremendous respect, but I’m excited about seeing who that is, and then we’re going to dive into it. We’re going to go for it with no fear.”

Tyler Higbee and Tyler Johnson caught TD passes for the Rams, who had won five straight and nine of 11 since their bye week. Although most of their defensive starters played, the Rams limited their snaps — and McVay even allowed offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to call the Rams’ plays.

“It’s going to be a great challenge, but I do know this: I’ve been fortunate enough to get into this thing (before), and you can’t worry about ducking people,” said McVay, the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl. “If you ... really expect to make some noise when you get in it, you’re going to have to play people eventually. Felt like it was the smart move for our football team, and really, we had an opportunity to come away with the win.”

Seattle didn't trail until the fourth quarter. After Johnson caught a 4-yard TD pass from Garoppolo, the Rams got the ball back and drove for Joshua Karty’s 38-yard field goal to go up 25-24 with 7:29 to play.

Fant put the Seahawks back ahead by holding on to Smith’s 16-yard TD pass despite landing nearly headfirst in the end zone after getting undercut.

Los Angeles then converted a fourth down while driving to the Seattle 9, but Garoppolo threw incomplete on fourth down with 18 seconds left.

“I’m telling you, man, this team is heading in the right direction,” said Smith, who passed for 4,097 yards in the penultimate season of his contract. “Man, this team is on its way, and that’s with or without me. ... I got a bright future. I think y’all can see that, and I believe we have a bright future together. Obviously, I’m just saying that, but we all have a bright future together.”

DK Metcalf, Jake Bobo and AJ Barner also caught TD passes for Seattle. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had four catches to tie Tyler Lockett’s single-season franchise record of 100 receptions.

The Seahawks won six of eight to close its first season under coach Mike Macdonald. Seattle was the only team in the NFL to win 10 games and still miss the playoffs.

Seattle has missed the playoffs in two straight years for the first time since 2009, yet Macdonald led the Seahawks to 10 wins for the first time in four years.

“We've got the right guys, and they've got the right mentality," Macdonald said. "Just really proud of the cohesiveness, the connection that we’ve built. … It’s ultimately our responsibility to put ourselves in a better situation at the end of the season, but coming out of the weekend, just the resilience and the positivity was really cool. So proud of our guys.”

Lockett had two catches for 28 yards in perhaps his last game with Seattle after a productive decade with the club. He carries a $30.8 million cap hit for 2025.

“Because I kind of plan on playing again, I know it’s not the very, very end,” Lockett said. “It would be different if I was retiring. But, yeah, I mean, I think it’s always going to be somewhat sensitive, just because that could have the last time you put on a jersey, so I’m glad I ended with a catch just in case. Glad we ended up with a win.”

Seahawks: Rookie DT Byron Murphy left in the first half after apparently aggravating his back injury. ... Backup CB Tre Brown was ruled out in the second half with a knee injury.

Rams: RB Blake Corum broke his forearm, ending his season. The Michigan product rushed for 207 yards in his rookie season. ... TE Hunter Long injured his knee in the first half.

Seahawks: An offseason of roster decisions, including the possibility of extensions for Smith and Metcalf.

Rams: Their first home playoff game in three years.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (11) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (11) runs through blockers during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Desjuan Johnson (94) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)