73-year-old Michel Barnier officially took over the position of Prime Minister of France, he was appointed the head of the government by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal handed over the post of head of government to Barnier and wished him success in his term.

Attal spoke with choice words about Barnier, who held a number of positions in the French government and the European Union. He said that Barnier has a unique experience in public services. Commenting on the current situation in the country, Attal said that French politics is “sick”, but that its recovery is possible.

The new Prime Minister said that France is in a “serious period” and that it will fight against difficulties, anger, pain, feelings of abandonment and injustice that affect cities, neighborhoods and rural areas: “It is now necessary to move from words to actions regarding the political and economic difficulties that France is facing”.