PARIS: French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's hard-won new government faced instant challenges Sunday (Sep 22) as threats of a no-confidence motion in parliament multiplied. The head of government

France's new government is dominated by conservatives and centrists following elections in which a left-wing coalition won the most seats but not a majority.

The cabinet named by Prime Minister Michel Barnier marks a tilt to the right and will need to avoid being dissolved with a no-confidence vote

The new cabinet pulls in allies from the centre and right, despite left-wing parties winning France's election.

The government still faces two challenges in the coming weeks: the risk of a no-confidence vote and a tight budget deadline.

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Antoine Armand as finance minister, thrusting a 33-year-old with limited political experience into an urgent budget battle in which he must maintain tacit support from the far right to avoid government collapse.