• Michel Barnier becomes new French PM
• The former EU Brexit negotiator takes over from Gabriel Attal
• He called for humility and respect towards all political forces
• Centre-left Socialists are already preparing to contest Barnier’s appointment

Michel Barnier becomes new French PM

Veteran French conservative Michel Barnier has been named France’s new Prime Minister, almost two months after the country’s snap elections resulted in a political impasse. The 73-year-old former EU Brexit negotiator takes over from Gabriel Attal, who served as the youngest-ever prime minister for the past eight months.

Barnier, who arrived at the Hôtel Matignon in Paris on Thursday evening, emphasised the need for humility and respect towards all political forces. His immediate challenge will be to form a stable government in a National Assembly fractured into three major blocs, none of which holds a clear majority.

The centre-left Socialists are already preparing to contest Barnier’s appointment with a vote of confidence. Barnier has pledged to address the nation’s financial and environmental issues transparently and to work with all parties in good faith to foster unity and respect.