Ex-prime minister Valls plans to back Macron in June elections

Manuel Valls, a former French Socialist prime minister, said on Tuesday that he wished to support President-elect Emmanuel Macron's political movement in the June elections for the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament. 

Former French prime minister Manuel Valls (L), former Labour minister Myriam El Khomri (C) and president-elect Emmanuel Macron at Solvay's factory on February 22, 2016, in Chalampe, eastern France SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Macron is working to obtain a majority in the lower house of parliament in June elections.

His party chief, Richard Ferrand, said on Monday that Macron's 'En Marche' movement would change its name to "En Marche la République" or "Republic on the Move", so as to structure itself more like a traditional party.

Ferrand also said the names of Macron's 577 candidates in the legislative elections would be announced this Thursday.