France's new Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault took office Wednesday. Ayrault was welcomed at the 18th century mansion in central Paris that serves as the prime minister's office by his predecessor Francois Fillon. The two men chatted for half an hour before emerging, according to a report of the Associated Press. "The essential thing ... is that we get to work very quickly in the service of the French people," Ayrault said later in quick remarks to reporters. The 62-year-old has led the country's Socialists in the lower house of Parliament for more than a decade The rest of the government ministers will be announced later Wednesday. They will hold their first official meeting on Thursday.
