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Macron says EU nominations are positive for Europe

French president praised 'capacities and competences' of French ex-minister Christine Lagarde who is set to be new European Central Bank boss.

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French president Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that the nominations for the European Union’s top posts were “positive and consensual” and offered a fresh start for the bloc, reports Reuters.

“This accord is the fruit of a deep Franco-German entente,” Macron told a news conference.

Macron defended the decision to appoint German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen to head up the Commission and IMF chief Christine Lagarde as the new European Central Bank governor.

“Von Der Leyen is a very good candidate and a very good choice to head the European Commission,” told journalists.

“I energetically backed her candidature. She was not the initial German choice...but I think she is a very good candidate because she has the experience and required competence. She is a has been a minister for several years,” Macron said.

Read more of this report from Reuters.