FRENCH left parties today rejected the appointment of former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the country’s new prime minister and called for nationwide protests.

The appointment of Mr Barnier follows weeks of stalling by President Emmanuel Macron to find an alternative candidate to one put forward by the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) coalition, which won the most seats in July’s National Assembly election.

The NPF had nominated civil servant Lucie Castets to be prime minister.