Michel Barnier

President Emmanuel Macron and new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou kept the country waiting Sunday over the composition of the fourth government in a year that must drag France out of political crisis.

France's parliament adopted a "special budget law" to maintain key government functions until a new budget for the next year is passed, according to local media reports.

After lawmakers at the National Assembly — the lower chamber of the French parliament — voted in favor of the temporary law on Monday, senators unanimously approved it on Wednesday, broadcaster BFMTV said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has named François Bayrou as France's new prime minister, marking the fourth such appointment this year amidst the country's ongoing political and financial crises.

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) poses with French President of the Modem party Francois Bayrou and mayor of Pau Francois Bayrou (L) on the balcony of the city hall during a visit in Pau, southwestern France, on July 6, 2023

The French president’s close ally, centrist François Bayrou, whose name is often mentioned to succeed caretaker Prime Minister Michel Barnier, was expected at the presidential palace for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron around 08:30 local time (09:30 GMT), according to sources close to the consultations.

French President Emmanuel Macron will likely name a new prime minister on Thursday, a government source told AFP on Wednesday, almost a week into a political crisis sparked by Michel Barnier's ouster as premier.

The nomination will come "more likely when (Macron) returns" in the evening from a day-long visit to Poland, the source added.

The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a difficult political moment for the Elysee tenant, just days after the collapse of the Barnier government. Given the turmoil in Elise, analysts are wondering if the reopening of the cathedral can “save” the French president and even compare this event to the Olympics, which also gave the French capital a lot of glamour.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to continue serving his full five-year term despite the political turmoil following the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after a no-confidence vote. Addressing the nation from the Élysée Palace on Thursday, Macron stressed his commitment to ensuring the continuity of governance and safeguarding the interests of France and its people.

People watch the French President Emmanuel Macron delivering a televised speech to the French nation, in Paris, France, 05 Dec. 2024.

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday was to hold talks with political factions as he seeks to name a new prime minister and find a way out of France's political crisis.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Dec. 5 met Emmanuel Macron to submit his resignation after losing a vote of no confidence in parliament, with the president urgently seeking ways to halt growing political and financial chaos.