France’s new prime minister selects Eric Lombard as finance minister

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New French Prime Minister François Bayrou has chosen Eric Lombard, the head of state-backed financial group Caisse des Dépôts, as finance minister, giving him a key role in trying to craft a budget for next year.

Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Bernier, was Expelled by the French Parliament His deficit-cutting budget was voted down in a no-confidence vote earlier this month due to opposition from left-wing and far-right political parties.

The members of Bayrou’s cabinet were unveiled on Monday night after a spat between him and President Emmanuel Macron, who formally named the ministers following the prime minister’s recommendation.

This is a developing story.