Macron Appoints Centrist PM to Tackle France's Political Stalemate

François Bayrou, a centrist political veteran and ally of President Emmanuel Macron, has been appointed as France's new prime minister following the ousting of Michel Barnier. Bayrou, who leads the MoDem party, faces the challenge of navigating a hung parliament and passing a 2025 budget amid political turmoil. His success will depend on building coalitions across the political spectrum, including neutralizing the far-right and negotiating with the moderate left, while maintaining fiscal discipline.