In rocky circumstances, a name finally came out of the hat on Friday, December 13: François Bayrou, the president of the Macron-aligned MoDem party, became France’s new prime minister at 73.

Welsh public bodies ‘could be shortchanged on NI hike’ Mark Drakeford told the Senedd’s finance…

Why did Macron pick Bayrou? A long-time centrist ally François Bayrou as the country’s new…

  As Germany faces significant economic challenges, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken the rare step…

Friday’s front pages lead with various domestic and international stories. There is ongoing coverage of the latest across the Middle East as G7 nations prepare to hold a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the fast-moving developments. For Syrians, many have taken to the streets in celebration, marking the end of the Assad regime. 

Amid ongoing war in the Middle East and Europe, as well as the return of Donald Trump to world politics, several front pages lead with stories regarding NATO. European members of the alliance are holding talks about increasing the spending target to 3% of GDP. There is also a warning from the new head of NATO, Mark Rutte, that European members need to spend more on defence. 

A little closer to home, Prince Andrew has found himself on the front pages again, this time regarding a close confidant to the Duke who has reportedly been banished from Britain over claims he is a Chinese spy.

Syria is witnessing mass celebrations as citizens gather to mark the end of five decades of rule by the Assad regime. Images from Damascus show large crowds assembling for the first Friday prayers since Islamist rebels seized control of the capital on Sunday.