France's outgoing Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Antoine Armand (C) addresses the audience, flanked by newly-appointed France's Minister for Economy and Finances Eric Lombard (5thR), and French outgoing Minister for Budget and Public Accounts Laurent Saint-Martin (4thR) and newly-appointed France's delegate Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Clara Chappaz (R) during the handover ceremony at the Economy's and Finances' ministry (Bercy) in Paris, on December 23, 2024. Eric Lombard was appointed France's Minister for Economy and Finances on December 23, 2024, as France's new government was announced amid efforts to drag the country out of political crisis. The Elysee announced the composition of the cabinet of Francois Bayrou, a 73-year-old centrist who was appointed prime minister on December 13 following the fall of a short-lived conservative-led government. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)