French President Emmanuel Macron appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as prime minister on Friday after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government, AP News reports.
Bayrou, 73, a long-standing political figure and leader of the centrist Democratic Movement (MoDem), will form a new government following the resignation of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier due to a no-confidence vote over budget disputes. Bayrou’s political experience is seen as essential to restoring stability, as Macron’s alliance lacks a parliamentary majority. The new government will rely on support from both left and right moderates to maintain power, while aiming to prevent far-right leader Marine Le Pen from gaining significant influence.
Bayrou has previously served as justice minister and was a presidential candidate three times. He resigned from his justice role in 2017 amid an investigation into alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds by MoDem but was cleared this year.
