New French premier known to be a steely negotiator

Borne, the second woman in 30 years to hold the post, will help push through hard reforms

PARIS . French President Emmanuel Macron picked Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne as his new prime minister as he prepares for legislative elections in June only the second time in 30 years that a woman has got the job.

"I want to dedicate my nomination to all little girls and tell them to go all the way pursuing your dreams,” Ms Borne said in her inauguration speech on Monday.

Recently re-elected Mr Macron, who needs to show he has heard the frustrations of voters, as expressed by low turnout and big support for the far right and far left in the polls, has been looking for a premier with green and social policy credentials.

Such a profile could help counter the challenge from hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon who achieved a strong third place in the presidential election, giving him the opportunity to rally a broad coalition of left-leaning parties in the June 12-19 parliamentary vote.