Macron ally wins surprise re-election as national assembly speaker

Vote for centrist MP Yael Braun-Pivet marks first step out of governing limbo since snap elections left country divided

French lawmakers have re-elected a member of President Emmanuel Macron's centrist bloc as president of parliament's lower house, a possible breakthrough in attempts to form a majority amid deadlock.

French politics have been in gridlock after a snap election this month left the country without any clear path to forming a new government as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games.