France: Macron names Francois Bayrou as new prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron named Francois Bayrou as prime minister on Friday.

The new head of government replaces Michel Barnier, who resigned last week after far-right and left-wing lawmakers voted to bring down his government.

"The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Francois Bayrou as prime minister and tasked him with forming a government," the French presidency said, giving no more details.

The toppling of Barnier's government has plunged France into its second major political crisis in six months.

Who is Francois Bayrou?

The 73-year-old Bayrou is a centrist who leads the MoDem party — allied to Macron's Renaissance party — who was seen as a favorite for the role.

He is a former justice and education minister and member of the European Parliament.

Three times a presidential candidate himself, in 2002, 2007 and 2012, Bayrou has long been touted as a possible head of government.

Bayrou was acquitted in February after a long case over the fraudulent employment by his party of parliamentary assistants. The judge ruled that he was owed the "benefit of the doubt."

Macron had postponed the nomination of a new prime minister, missing a 48-hour deadline he gave at a Tuesday meeting of party leaders from across the political spectrum.

Bayrou now becomes the sixth prime minister of Macron's presidency, with Barnier having lasted only three months.

Each successive prime minister under Macron has served for a shorter period than their predecessor.

rc/zc (AFP, Reuters)