Former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, now a white collar and compliance partner at French law firm August Debouzy, has emerged as a top contender to become France's next prime minister.

President Emmanuel Macron is searching for a compromise prime minister who could help him escape the political impasse he has faced after the loss of his political majority in legislative elections in July. After seven years of business-friendly tax cuts and policy reforms under governments controlled by Macron, the country looks to be headed for a change of direction.