Mr Philippe, 46, is the mayor of Le Havre and a close associate of Alain Juppe, a prominent conservative who was touted to replace Francois Fillon as presidential candidate for the Republicans.
Analysts say his appointment could convince other Republicans to support Mr Macron, who is looking to secure a working majority in crucial parliamentary elections next month.
One of Mr Macron's aides welcomed the appointment as "a good move", telling AFP it would help the president "break the right".
:: Macron's battle begins now he is in the Elysee
Republicans secretary general Bernard Accoyer said the move had created "ambiguity" over what political line Mr Philippe would follow.
He said: "This is an individual decision. It is not a political agreement.
"Will this new prime minister support the candidates of En Marche of the President ... or will he support the candidates of The Republicans-UDI, the candidates of his own political family?"
Meanwhile, Mr Juppe described the new prime minister as "a man of great talent" with "all the qualities to handle the difficult job".
Image:Mr Macron waves off Francois Hollande as he takes over as French presidentMr Philippe began his political life as a Socialist activist, before switching sides and serving as Mr Juppe's campaign spokesman during the Republicans party primary.
When Mr Juppe was beaten, the 46-year-old pledged his support to Francois Fillon but later quit the campaign when prosecutors started investigating allegations that the presidential candidate gave family members taxpayer-funded "fake jobs".
:: Why Macron picked a centre-right French PM
A relatively unknown politician, Mr Philippe previously worked as a director of public affairs for French nuclear group Areva from 2007-2010.
Prior to that he worked as a lawyer for New York City-based international law firm Debevoise and Plimpton LLP.
Image:Emmanuel Macron and Edouard Philippe shake hands during a meeting in February 2016The announcement comes a day after Mr Macron was inaugurated as France's youngest ever president in a ceremony in Paris.
In his inauguration speech, the centrist leader vowed to fight terrorism and also listed "the excesses of capitalism in the world" and climate change among his future challenges.
The 39-year-old has appointed Alexis Kohler, who was his chief of staff when he was economy minister, as his secretary general.
Philippe Etienne, a former ambassador to Berlin, will act as his diplomatic adviser.
The remainder of Mr Macron's government is expected to be announced on Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment