François Bayrou has been appointed France’s new Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party, takes over from Michel Barnier who was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote on Dec 4.

“The President of the Republic has appointed François Bayrou as prime minister and tasked him with forming a government,” the Elysée Palace stated soberly in a press release.

Mr Bayrou met Mr Macron at the the Elysée on Friday morning, where they spoke for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The French press reported that the meeting “did not go well” and that Bayrou was no longer considered a candidate. It was later reported by Le Parisien that his “supporters are starting to believe in him again” before he was eventually confirmed by the Elysée.

Mr Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’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 single party holds a majority at the National Assembly.

He was recently cleared in a case alleging embezzlement of European Parliament funds.