French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Saturday unveiled his new government after months of political deadlock in the wake of inconclusive snap elections. The cabinet line-up marks a shift to the right as left-wing protesters took to the streets for a second round of demonstrations. Read FRANCE 24’s live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded.
Summary:
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The French presidential palace unveiled a new centre-right government Saturday, more than two months after elections that produced a hung parliament and deepened political divisions as France grapples with economic and diplomatic challenges.
Read moreFrance gets a more right-wing government after weeks of uncertainty
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The government, led by conservative Michel Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, will face the tough task of having to plug a gaping hole in public finances, which could involve having to decide on politically toxic tax rises.
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The 39-member Cabinet includes primarily ministers from Macron's centrist alliance and the conservative Republicans.
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The makeup and direction of France's government is important because the country is a leading voice in EU policy, among the biggest world's economies and a nuclear-armed, veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council.
