Michel Barnier Appointed PM-Elysee

In formal confirmation of an earlier headline (see 'FRANCE: La Parisien-Appointment Of New PM 'Imminent', Barnier Still Favourite', 1143BST) former foreign minister and chief Brexit negotiator for the EU Michel Barnier has been appointed as prime minister according to a statement from the Elysee Palace. This follows sixty days of chaotic political negotiation following the 7 July legislative elections that delivered a divided National Assembly.

• President Emmanuel Macron asked Barnier to "form a unifying government in the service of the country".
• Elysee: "This appointment comes after an unprecedented cycle of consultations during which, in accordance with his constitutional duty, the President ensured that the Prime Minister and the future government would meet the conditions to be as stable as possible and give themselves the chance to unite as widely as possible",
• According to the statement the presidency "ensured" that a Barnier gov't would meet Macron's conditions for stability and broad unity.
• From the conservative Les Republicains, Barnier (73) becomes the oldest PM in the Fifth Republic's history, taking over from Gabriel Attal (35), who is the youngest.