Macron Names Barnier as France's New Prime Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new prime minister, following weeks of intense efforts to find a suitable candidate. Barnier, 73, is a career politician and former EU chief Brexit negotiator, who has held various top jobs, including minister and European Union commissioner. He is the oldest prime minister in modern France, succeeding Gabriel Attal, who was 34 when he was appointed just eight months ago. Barnier's appointment comes after two months of political deadlock in France, and he has been tasked with forming a "unifying government in the service of the country". However, his appointment is not without challenges, as he is likely to face a no-confidence motion in parliament. Some articles mention that Barnier is seen as more acceptable to Marine Le Pen's National Rally, while others describe him as a traditional conservative who defended EU positions in contentious negotiations.