PARIS (AP) - Amid the serious political crisis facing France, President Emmanuel Macron appointed his centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister on Friday after a historic vote of no confidence ousted the previous government last week.
Bayrou, 73, and a crucial partner in Macron's centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is considered key in efforts to restore stability, as no party has a majority in the National Assembly.
Macron's office said in a statement that Bayrou "has been tasked with forming a new government."
Why is France in this political crisis?
The former Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned last week after a vote of no confidence triggered by budget disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functional government.
The crisis caused several politicians to call for the president's resignation, but in a national address, Macron promised last week that he will remain in office until the end of his term in 2027.
Macron's centrist alliance does not have a parliamentary majority, and the government led by Bayrou will depend on moderate legislators from both the left and right to stay in power. It is expected that some conservatives will be part of the new executive.
Macron's strategy aims to prevent far-right leader Marine Le Pen from having the power to "decide" on the government. Le Pen collaborated in the removal of Barnier by joining forces with her party, National Rally, and the left to approve the motion of censure last week.
Bayrou's appointment is also in line with Macron's efforts to build a non-aggression pact with the socialists, so that they commit not to vote against the government in any future motion of censure.
Who is François Bayrou?
Bayrou leads the Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007.
In 2017, he supported Macron's first presidential candidacy and became an important partner in the French president's centrist alliance.
At that time, he was appointed Minister of Justice, but quickly resigned from the position amid an investigation for alleged embezzlement of funds from the European Parliament by the MoDem.
Bayrou was acquitted this year in the case by a Paris court, which found eight other party officials guilty and sentenced the party to pay a fine.
The new French Prime Minister became known to the general public when he was Minister of Education between 1993 and 1997 in a conservative government.
He ran for president three times, in 2002, 2007, and 2012.