Ayrault is named new French prime minister
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
PARIS (AP) --
French President Francois Hollande has named Jean-Marc Ayrault as his new prime minister.
The incoming Elysee Palace Secretary-General Pierre-Rene Lemas announced the choice Tuesday afternoon, hours after Hollande was sworn in.
Ayrault is a the leader of the Socialists in France's lower house of parliament. He is also a German speaker -- a potential advantage for Hollande, whose success as president may partly depend on his relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The 62-year-old Ayrault succeeds conservative Francois Fillon as the head of government.
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