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.

With a 57 per cent approval rating, Mr Barnier shot to the top of the popularity rankings ahead of three of his predecessors: Edouard Philippe (55 per cent), Gabriel Attal (54 per cent) and Jean Castex (54 per cent), according to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Paris Match and Sud Radio. By contrast, Mr Macron is languishing in 44th place on 31 per cent.

Michel Barnier's governing team needs to be approved by President Emmanuel Macron by Sunday at the latest before it becomes official.

The choice of government needs to be approved by President Emmanuel Macron before it becomes official. View on euronews