Francois Hollande: 'Time for a new direction in France'
President Francois Hollande has named Interior Minister Manuel Valls as France's next prime minister.
Mr Hollande's ruling Socialists are badly bruised after local elections which saw big gains for conservatives and the far-right National Front (FN).
Mr Valls, 51, will replace PM Jean-Marc Ayrault, whose office confirmed his resignation on Monday.
In a short televised address on Monday, President Hollande said he would lead a "fighting government" and that it was "time for a new direction".
31 Mar 2014
- From the section Europe