Macron names ex Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, 73, as new French PM

Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier was today announced as France’s new Prime Minister. The 73-year-old will take over following almost two months of political stalemate caused by parliamentary elections that failed to produce a majority party in the National Assembly. This has persuaded President Emmanuel Macron to call on Mr Barnier, a highly experienced technocrat who is not a serving elected MP. An official at Matignon, the prime minister’s official residence in Paris, said on Thursday afternoon: ‘Michel Barnier has been named prime minister by President Macron.’ The appointment means...