French President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister in an effort to address the country's deep political crisis after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.

The appointment comes after Michel Barnier’s government was toppled last week in a battle over public finances.