PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, as his new prime minister on Thursday, after weeks of drawn out talks following an inconclusive snap election.

Following a meeting with the leaders of French conservative and centrist parties and parliamentary groups, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday presented his new cabinet choices to President Emmanuel Macron.

France is close to establishing a new government after a turbulent snap legislative election. Prime Minister Michel Barnier, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron, faces challenges in finalizing his cabinet amidst a politically fractured parliament.