Macron names right-leaning French government under Michel Barnier

New cabinet likely to face immediate no-confidence motion from leftwing bloc sidelined by president

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has named a new government led by the prime minister, Michel Barnier, marked by a shift to the right 11 weeks after an inconclusive parliamentary election.

The first major task for Barnier, appointed just more than two weeks ago, will be to submit a 2025 budget plan addressing France's financial situation, which the prime minister this week called very serious".