gotchanewsdaily.com 
Weeks into his premiership, however, Barnier has not only survived but is even thriving after imposing a throwback, almost anachronistic style of governance.
In contrast to Macron’s top-down energetic form of leadership or the bombastic style of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Barnier has been a man of few words, seemingly adopting a light touch and shying from confrontation in dealing with his ministers and lawmakers.
The 73-year-old conservative has also fervently embraced his old-school “dinosaur” reputation. His speeches have been peppered with dated platitudes and sayings from his Savoie regional bastion, easy prey for opponents who have mocked him as “fossilized.” Listening to Barnier, one lawmaker said, was like watching paint dry.
“Do you know anyone who puts up Barnier posters in their room?” asked an ally of the French president, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.
In French political circles, Barnier has even earned the nickname “Babar,” the famed imperturbable elephant from French children’s literature whose clothes were too large for him — not unlike Barnier’s flappy jackets, and a stark contrast to the tailored suits of Macron’s “startup nation” generation.
Not quite so cute
But Barnier’s approach belies the gravity of his actions since coming to power. The French prime minister has made an immediate priority of pushing through an unpopular 2025 budget that includes €40 billion in spending cuts and €20 billion in tax hikes. The object is to bring France’s spiraling budget deficit back in line with EU rules in the coming years.
