Macron hoping fresh talks can end French political stalemate

Emmanuel Macron is to meet French party and parliamentary leaders this week for negotiations to break the political deadlock over who should form a new government.

- Kim Willsher

France has been led by a caretaker administration since the July election failed to leave any party with a working majority in the national assembly.

After Macron's centrist government resigned, the Olympics offered the president a brief window to put domestic politics on hold for what he called a "truce" but, more than a week after the Games closed, critics have accused him of playing for time.

He will hold what presidential aides have described as "a series of exchanges" on Friday to end the stalemate.

"The appointment of a prime minister will follow on from these consultations and their conclusions," the Élysée Palace said, adding that the French people had "expressed a wish for change and broad unity".