French left plans protests over new PM Barnier

Protests across France are set to take place against the appointment of Michel Barnier as the country’s new prime minister.

The demonstrations were called by parties on the political left, whose candidate for prime minister was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Macron chose the former EU Brexit negotiator, 60 days after parliamentary elections left France in political deadlock, with three powerful blocs – of which the left was the largest – but none able to form a majority in the National Assembly.

In a televised interview, Mr Barnier – himself from the centre right – said he was open to forming a government including members of the left.