Macron rebrands party as Renaissance to fight parliamentary elections

Re-elected French president seeking coalition of the centre to see off threats from Marine Le Pen and leftwing alliance

Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, La Republique En Marche, is changing its name to Renaissance as the French president attempts to win a ruling majority in parliament for his second term in office.

The party's rebranding was announced just as campaigning is due to begin for June's parliamentary elections. Macron is hoping to secure a parliamentary majority against competition from a new alliance of leftwing parties led by Jean-Luc Melenchon, and Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, which is seeking to increase its small number of seats.