President Emmanuel Macron has appointed former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France's new prime minister, aiming to end political deadlock and manage a divided parliament. Barnier, at 73, becomes the oldest French prime minister and is expected to form a unifying government amidst rising economic challenges and budgetary concerns. His appointment has garnered mixed reactions, with some praising his experience while others, like the far-right National Rally, remain wary. Barnier, who has been out of French politics since 2022, faces the task of stabilizing France's finances and addressing the country's fractured legislature. This strategic move by Macron is seen as an attempt to navigate France's volatile political landscape and looming economic crisis.