UPDATE 2 - France's former EU Brexit negotiator named country's new premier

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM FRENCH PRESIDENT, PREMIER

By Ahmet Gencturk and Burak Bir

ATHENS/LONDON (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday named Michel Barnier, who handled the EU’s long and difficult Brexit negotiations, as the country’s new premier.

“The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Michel BARNIER as Prime Minister. He has tasked him with forming a unifying government to serve the country and the French people,” said a statement by Elysee Palace.

Center-right politician Barnier is a former European commissioner and French foreign minister.

He later served as the EU Commission’s head of relations with the UK and was tasked with negotiating Britain’s long and contentious process of divorce from the European Union.

Barnier's nomination has sparked criticism from leftist politicians, who said that the head of the government should reflect French voters' choices, France 24 reported.

Left-wing alliance the New Popular Front (NFP) claimed victory in the second round of snap parliamentary elections on July 7.

Meanwhile, France's Socialist Party said on X: "Michel Barnier has neither political legitimacy nor republican legitimacy. The Socialist Party will vote against Michel Barnier's appointment and his government."

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Barnier said that he wants to respond to the challenges, anger and suffering of people.

Macron thanked the outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal for his service during the past eight months.

He wrote on X that Attal has "moved the country forward and contributed to its influence at an important time."