He was handpicked by the French president to take over the running of La REM. Others, including La REM members of parliament, responded that Castaner was “the obvious choice”. The aim was to blow apart traditional party politics by re-engaging civil society and brainstorming ideas. At the congress, senior party members said the immediate task was to re-engage grassroots committees and volunteers. It also now faces the challenge of offering something different from the traditional parties.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2017 16:10 UTC