Michel Barnier clearly loves a challenge.

The man who wrestled with Brexit negotiations for long, tortuous years, is now tasked with rescuing France from political gridlock and crisis.

The veteran politician accepted the appointment as prime minister with the French parliament gripped with an impasse in the wake of parliamentary elections.

Emmanuel Macron called the elections as a gamble to see off the threat from the far-right National Rally after its stunning success in European elections in June.

In a sense it paid off. The far right was neutered, but no party emerged with an outright majority and the horse trading and wrangling that has followed has paralysed French government.

Far-right politicians had sounded opposed to the idea of a Barnier premiership.

They had described him as a fossilised relic from the past, but in the wake of his appointment, Marine Le Pen has sounded more cooperative, saying he meets at least her “first criterion” as a prime minister.

World leaders condemn ‘political violence’ after Donald Trump shooting

France election: What the result means and how a new government can be formed

Macron rejects French PM’s resignation after shock election result

If all sides can do business with Barnier he has a chance of resolving an increasingly pressing crisis, not least because of its impact on French public finances. The gridlock has held up crucial budget negotiations.

Barnier’s appointment clearly will have implications for British-French relations.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

As a former EU negotiator, he was the bogeyman of the British right but the process gave him a deep understanding of the UK’s post-Brexit relations with Europe.

Read more from Sky News:
Starmer’s reset with the EU will not reverse Brexit
Next Conservative leader should look at Starmer playbook
Lord Ricketts: ‘It’s crucial that we work closely with the French’

Barnier also presented a surprisingly hard line on migration as a former presidential candidate. That didn’t win him friends on the left on either side of the channel.

But it may make him more prepared to work with the UK on the cross-channel migrants’ boats crisis.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Most of all he is a seasoned operator steeped in the workings of both French and European politics and government.

Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear he wants a reset in UK-French relations.

If he can build a good working relationship with Michel Barnier, he will have found himself a useful partner in Europe.

Related posts:

World leaders unite in condemning Russia for choosing ‘path of bloodshed and destruction’ What is Putin thinking? Why is he invading Ukraine and what does he want? Video shows missile strike on Ukrainian air base, Sky News verifies Polar bear attacks tourist on Norwegian island At least six people dead after heavy rain causes flooding in Balkans Iran enriching uranium at 60% purity, bringing it closer to weapons-grade quality Prigozhin’s rebellion could trigger Putin’s most serious domestic crisis Russia civil unrest triggered by Wagner mercenary mutiny offers hope to Ukrainians Women’s World Cup 2023: Germany v Morocco – follow live Premier League star faces possible ban ‘over alleged gambling breaches’ Domino’s Pizza apologises after employee ‘nose-picking’ video goes viral Germany summons Turkish ambassador as row over Euros wolf salute grows