Emmanuel Macron calls for 'EU renaissance' ahead of polls

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a series of reforms to ensure the future of the European Union.

In an opinion piece published in newspapers across Europe, he calls for the creation of an agency to protect the bloc against cyber-attacks.

Ahead of May's European elections, he advocates a ban on foreign powers financing European political parties.

And he suggests the British people were not properly informed before voting to leave the EU.

Mr Macron set out his proposals for a "European renaissance" in an open letter addressed directly to the "citizens of Europe", which was published in newspapers in all 28 EU member states.

In his letter, Mr Macron says the EU as an institution needs a major shake-up if it is to stop member states "retreating into nationalism" - a direct reference to Brexit.

"Who told the British people the truth about their post-Brexit future?" he asks, using the UK's withdrawal from the union as an example of the EU being in crisis. "Who spoke to them about losing access to the EU market? Who mentioned the risks to peace in Ireland of restoring the border?"