The new prime minister, a Macron ally, must try to assemble a government, regain control of France’s deficit and satisfy warring political factions.

Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades.

Emmanuel Macron has picked long-time centrist ally François Bayrou to be France’s new prime minister. The decision follows days of stalemate over finding a replacement for Michel Barnier, who was ousted by a no-confidence vote on Dec 4 that plunged France into a political crisis.