THE French presidential palace unveiled a new government dominated by rightwingers and centrists at the weekend, more than two months after a left-wing coalition won the most seats in a parliamentary election but fell short of an overall majority.

President Emmanuel Macron named conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister earlier this month, even though the latter’s Republicans did badly in the elections.

Mr Macron’s refusal to allow the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance to try to form a minority administration has sparked continuing anger, with more nationwide protests taking place on Saturday.