Mr. Streeting attributes his ability to connect with a range of voters to his background. He was the first in his family to graduate from college and his grandfather went to prison for armed robbery.

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed a string of allies who will remain in critical state positions after next year’s presidential election, and who could thwart a far-right successor.

The former opposition leader, who won a landslide election, now faces the formidable job of dismantling what his predecessor called an “illiberal democracy.”

Peter Magyar, the incoming prime minister, has promised to push out “puppets of the old regime.” Many are jumping first.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s appointment of Louise Arbour, a former Supreme Court justice, as governor general, sends a message beyond Canada.