New French Prime Minister Michel Barnier to form government 'next week'

France's new conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced that a new government will be formed next week. Barnier, appointed by President Emmanuel Macron, is consulting candidates for ministries in a politically divided parliament. The chamber is split among Macron's centrists, the left-wing NFP alliance, and the far-right National Rally. An October 1 deadline for the 2025 budget adds urgency to the process.