The government still faces two challenges in the coming weeks: the risk of a no-confidence vote and a tight budget deadline.

France edged closer to having a new government, more than two months after a hung election, as new Prime Minister Michel Barnier's office said he had pulled together a list of ministers he will submit to President Emmanuel Macron later on Thursday.

The new cabinet remains largely dominated by ministers from the ranks of President Emmanuel Macron despite his party’s heavy losses in recent parliamentary elections.