PARIS (AP) – France´s Prime Minister Michel Barnier resumed work Monday following surgery this weekend for a cervical lesion, according to a rare health update from his doctor.
Seventy-three-year-old Barnier, the oldest of the 26 prime ministers who have served modern France´s Fifth Republic, returned to the Hôtel de Matignon, the official residence, and is scheduled to lead the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the statement said.
The communiqué from Barnier´s doctor, Dr. Olivier Hersan, shared scant details about the procedure but confirmed its success, adding that results of the lesion´s analysis will be available in the coming weeks.
The surgery comes at a pivotal moment in the septuagenarian´s career.
Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron only in September, Barnier took over from Gabriel Attal, 35, who briefly led the government as the youngest prime minister in French history.
Barnier´s appointment followed two months of political stalemate after legislative elections produced no clear majority, leaving a fractured National Assembly where Macron´s centrist bloc, the left-wing coalition, and the far-right National Rally each hold significant sway.
A seasoned diplomat and former European Union Brexit negotiator, Barnier has a reputation for consensus-building, which Macron hoped would help unify the divided government. His administration has set ambitious priorities, including bolstering national security, reforming education, and addressing France´s rising debt crisis.