New French Prime Minister Bayrou calls for reconciliation

New French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has called on both leftist and rightist forces to work together to overcome division in the country. Bayrou, the head of a centrist party, spoke after being named by President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. His party is part of the ruling coalition.

He will replace Michel Barnier, who resigned on December 5 after lawmakers passed a no-confidence motion against him and his Cabinet. Bayrou becomes the fourth person to fill the role this year amid political instability. He served as a Cabinet member under President Jacques Chirac in the 1990s.The new Prime Minister is expected to quickly form a Cabinet and resume deliberations on next fiscal year's budget.