Radical-left MP Éric Coquerel was elected chair of the French parliament's powerful finance committee on Thursday, a day after the far-right obtained two assembly vice-presidencies - signs of the growing power of radical parties in the new parliament, reports FRANCE 24.
President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party lost control of parliament in elections this month, which complicates planned reforms as he will need to share some of the power - and policy oversight - with other parties.
Coquerel, 63, is a veteran politician and one of the most senior members of firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party.
The finance committee he will now chair has extensive powers, and this was the most-watched vote as the new, very fragmented lower house of parliament sets to work.
The committee has a key role in the adoption of the French budget in parliament and in overseeing how the state spends public money, with the possibility of doing impromptu checks in ministries.
Its president can also get access to the confidential tax declarations of companies or individuals but can't publish them.