Macro names France's Michel Barnier prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday named Michel Barnier as France's prime minister.

The long-awaited announcement comes about two months after no party secured the majority in early elections, leading to talks on who should lead the new government, reports “France 24”.

Macron had asked the outgoing prime minister, Gabriel Attal, to retain the post to ensure the country's political stability.

Conservator Xavier Bertrand and former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve were also among the names being shared for the prime minister's post.

In a statement by the Macroni office, announcing the Barnier appointment, he is said to have been tasked with forming “the formation of a unifying government to serve the country and the French people”.

This appointment comes after an unprecedented cycle of consultations, during which, in line with its constitutional task, the president was assured that the prime minister and the future government would meet the conditions to be as stable as possible and give themselves the chances of joining as widely as possible” is further said.