France's new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, gathering his cabinet for the first time on Monday, told ministers to focus on action rather than stunts as he sought to change voters' perceptions that previous governments had been too arrogant.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier urged his freshly-appointed cabinet Monday to avoid "bluster" and "show respect for all our fellow citizens" as it gets to work, an official in his office said.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier asked his freshly appointed Cabinet Monday to avoid "bluster" and "show respect for all our fellow citizens" as it gets to work, an official said. A long wait for the new French government — 11 weeks after a snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron — ended Saturday when the new team was announced.

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

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's hard-won new government faced instant challenges Sunday as threats of a no-confidence motion in parliament multiplied.

Emmanuel Macron’s new government faces no-confidence votes less than 12 hours after it was unveiled. On Saturday night Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, unveiled his ne