French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a veteran centrist ally as prime minister. Francois Bayrou becomes the fourth person to fill the role this year.

Macron made the announcement on Friday. The previous prime minister, Michel Barnier, resigned last week after lawmakers passed a no-confidence motion against him and his Cabinet.

Bayrou, 73, heads the centrist Democratic Movement party, which is part of Macron's ruling coalition. He served as a Cabinet member under President Jacques Chirac in the 1990s.

Macron oversees a minority government. Observers believe he chose Bayrou in the hope of drawing support from the left, which is the largest force in parliament.

The new prime minister is expected to quickly form a Cabinet and resume deliberations on next year's budget.

Observers say Macron is keen to focus on global issues, such as the conflict in Ukraine, but his efforts have been hindered by political instability at home.