By Christian Smith

Emmanuel Macron, the new French president has chosen a centre-right mayor from the conservative Republicans party as his new prime minister.

39-year-old Macron who was sworn in on Sunday confirmed on his first full day in office today that Philippe, 46, the mayor of the Normandy port town, Le Havre, will lead his government.

In a few minutes time, a transfer of power will now take place between the old prime minister and the new one.

Philippe who will lead Macron’s fledgling political movement, La République En Marche (La REM) in the June parliamentary elections, now as till Wednesday to form a cabinet.