Politics have been confusing and uncertain in France and Venezuela since the countries held elections this summer. Now, after nearly two months, France finally has a prime minister. And the man who may have won Venezuela’s election has left the country for his safety.
France Finally Has a New Prime Minister
Last Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron named Michel Barnier as the country’s new prime minister. Mr. Barnier is a well-known politician who has worked in many different government jobs, both in France and the European Union.
The choice of Mr. Barnier has upset many people, since his political views are very different from those of the parties on the left, which won France’s most recent election.
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Last Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron named Michel Barnier as the country’s new prime minister. Mr. Barnier is a well-known politician who has worked in many different government jobs, both in France and the European Union. Above, Mr. Barnier (right) speaking with French Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy.
After strong results for right-wing candidates in European elections last spring, Mr. Macron called a surprise election in June for the National Assembly – France’s lawmakers.
Many people in France were concerned that far-right parties might win the election. But after parties on the left decided to work together, they wound up winning the most votes.
But the left didn’t win enough seats to control the National Assembly. The 577 seats are so divided that no single group can smoothly control things. This is called a “hung” parliament.
(Source: [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
France hasn’t had an official prime minister since July 16, when Gabriel Attal stepped down. In France, the president chooses the prime minister. Mr. Macron refused the candidate suggested by the left, choosing Mr. Barnier instead.
Mr. Barnier’s first job will be to form a government. Mr. Barnier is known for being able to work with people who have different ideas. But he will find it challenging to lead the sharply divided National Assembly.
Mr. Barnier has one thing going for him: to remove him with a no-confidence vote, the left and the right would have to work together. And that’s unlikely.
Maduro Tightens Grip on Venezuela
Many experts believe that Edmundo González beat Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s July 28 election for president. But on Saturday, Mr. González left the country and flew to Spain for safety.
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Nicolás Maduro has been president of Venezuela since 2013. Since then, he has taken control of most of the sources of power in the country, including the army, the courts, and the group in charge of elections. Above, Mr. Maduro speaks to reporters after appearing at Venezuela’s Supreme Court in August.
Nicolás Maduro has been president of Venezuela since 2013. Since then, he has taken control of most of the sources of power in the country, including the army, the courts, and the group in charge of elections. Mr. Maduro has put thousands of people who oppose him in jail.
Under Mr. Maduro, life in Venezuela has become very difficult. Many people hoped this year’s election would bring a change in the country’s politics.
But Venezuela’s Supreme Court said that popular opposition leaders couldn’t run. Instead, Mr. González, who’s 75 and a diplomat, was chosen to represent the opposition. Even so, polls showed Mr. González ahead.
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Soon after the election, Mr. Maduro was declared the winner. Opposition leaders shared documents showing that Mr. González had won. No one has shown any proof that Mr. Maduro won. Above, Mr. González during a protest after the election, holding up papers that he says are voting records.
But soon after the election, Mr. Maduro was declared the winner. Opposition leaders shared documents showing that Mr. González had won – by a lot. No one has shown any proof that Mr. Maduro won.
Many outside countries say Mr. González should be the president of Venezuela. But Mr. Maduro’s government has been cracking down on the opposition. Many people have been put in jail. Mr. González and others had to go into hiding. Last week, there was an order for Mr. González’s arrest.
Mr. González says he’ll keep fighting for justice from Spain. But the situation is very disappointing for many Venezuelans who were hoping for a change.
(Front page image sources: Barnier: [CC BY 2.0], European People’s Party; González: [Public Domain], VOA. Both via Wikimedia Commons.)