French President Emmanuel Macron has nominated Francois Bayrou, leader of the MoDem party, as the country's new prime minister.

François Bayrou, the centrist leader, will succeed Michel Barnier. Bayrou held nearly two hours of talks with Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

"The president of the republic has appointed François Bayrou as prime minister and entrusted him with forming a government," the French presidency said, without giving further details.

Bayrou is the sixth prime minister in Macron's tenure since ousting Barnier, the country's shortest-serving premier.

He is also Macron's fourth prime minister for 2024.

The 73-year-old Bayrou, an important partner of the president's centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no party has a majority in the National Assembly.

Bayrou was recently acquitted in a case alleging embezzlement of European Parliament funds.

Bayrou endorsed François Hollande for president and then joined Emmanuel Macron's camp. He would pose no problems for the Socialists or for Marine Le Pen, to whom he gave his signature in 2022, analyses Flor Simon, political columnist of France 24.

But his appointment "could cause problems on the right as Nicolas Sarkozy's supporters have not swallowed Bayrou's call to vote for Hollande," the journalist pointed out.

The handover of power in Matignon from former prime minister Michel Barnier is likely to take place at midday local time. According to government sources, all ministers have been invited. | BGNES