Sebastien Lecornu replaces Francois Bayrou to be Emmanuel Macron's fifth premier in two years. Photo: AP PHOTO

Sebastien Lecornu, the loyalist picked by President Emmanuel Macron to be France's fifth prime minister in two years, has taken office on a day of sprawling anti-government protests that underline the depth of the country's political crisis.

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Lecornu, a conservative Macron protege who most recently served as his defence minister, arrived at the prime minister's residence at midday on Wednesday where he met former prime minister Francois Bayrou, who was ousted by parliament o

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