French PM Barnier Resigns, Macron Meets Senior Politicians Looking For Replacement

French President Emmanuel Macron met with senior allies and politicians on Thursday as he sought to immediately appoint a new prime minister.

This came a day after far-right and left lawmakers toppled Michel Barnier.

Reported by Reuters on Thursday, December 5, Francois Bayrou, whose name is often mentioned by French media as Barnier's successor, is scheduled to have lunch at noon with Macron, reports the Le Parisien newspaper and other media. Bayrou is a veteran centrist politician and a close ally of Macron.

Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu is also touted as a prime ministerial candidate. There has been no news of a possible Macron meeting with him.

Three sources told Reuters Macron intends to immediately appoint a replacement, and one of the sources said he wanted to do so before Saturday's ceremony to reopen the renovated Notre-Dame Cathedral after a great fire. US President-elect Donald Trump is among the world's leaders expected to attend.

The Macron's own allies are pushing for swift action. After the interim elections in late June and early July, Macron took nearly two months to appoint Barnier.

"I recommend that he immediately continue the appointment of prime minister, this is important, we must not let everything be abandoned," National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet told France Inter radio before meeting Macron.

Macron, who is scheduled to deliver a national televised address at 8 p.m., will also meet with the chairman of the Senate, French media said.

Barnier, a conservative veteran who became prime minister three months ago, will become prime minister with the shortest term in modern French history when Macron approved his resignation.

The two men met for more than an hour on Thursday morning, French media said. Barnier was due to hand over his resignation at the meeting but there has been no official confirmation after he left the Elysee presidential palace.