Who will be next Prime Minister of France?

President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new Prime Minister “within days” after Michel Barnier’s government became the first to fall to a no-confidence vote since 1962 – and faces calls to step down himself
 

President Macron
Took two months to personally select Michel Barnier as PM, now under pressure to seek consensus with political parties

Barnier ousted by Socialists and far-right National Rally (RN) over attempts to push through “austerity budget” without vote
 

CONTENDERS

François Bayrou
Leader, Democratic Movement (MoDem) Centrist former mayor of rural south-western town of Pau, supported Macron in 2017

Bernard Cazeneuve
Former PM under Socialist Francois Hollande
Could win over Socialists to leave New Popular Front (NFP) and join centrist ruling coalition

Lucie Castets
Economist, civil servant
Proposed as PM by left-wing NFP coalition in summer
Socialist leader Olivier Faure ready to discuss compromise
 
Sébastien Lecornu
Defence Minister
Defected from centre-right Les Républicains in 2017 to join Macron. Denies alleged meeting with Marine Le Pen, leader of RN and arch-rival of Macron

Xavier Bertrand
Centre-right
Served as minister under conservative Presidents Chirac and Sarkozy
   

No deadline to appoint new Prime Minister 
Caretaker government headed by Michel Barnier 
Caretaker government cannot enact new laws
  

Sources: Euronews, Financial Times, Politico 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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