Unions have called for strikes and street demonstrations across France following the collapse of Emmanuel Macron’s latest government.

The industrial action was announced on Thursday as the embattled French president prepared to accept the resignation of Michel Barnier, his fifth prime minister in seven years.

Mr Barnier lost a no-confidence vote in the French parliament on Wednesday, and was due at the Élysee Palace first thing on Thursday morning to tender his resignation.

This will mean the 73-year-old former EU Brexit negotiator, who was only appointed in September, will officially become the shortest serving prime minister in the country’s history.

A spokesman for the CGT, France’s Confederation of Labour union, said strikes would affect multiple sectors including schools, hospitals, airports and town halls.

“Marches are also being planned in numerous cities, including Paris, for Thursday afternoon,” said a CGT spokesman.