Paris:
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 on 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.