French Left Pushes Macron to Allow Formation of New Government

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 24-08-2024

Leaders of France’s left-wing coalition are calling on President Emmanuel Macron to allow them to form the new government, as he conducts a series of meetings aimed a tresolving the ongoing political impasse. Macron has rejected the New Popular Front’s (NFP) proposed candidate for prime minister, insisting on a leader with “broad and stable” support to avoid a no-confidence vote that could lead to further instability.

The NFP has criticized Macron for delaying the appointment of a new prime minister and accused him of not acknowledging the out  come of the snap general election.

Since the legislative election in early July, France has been in a political dead lock, with the Assemblée Nationale divided in tothreen early equal blocs—left, center, and far-right—none of which holds a clear majority.

Although Gabriel Attal’s centrist government resigned following the July election, it has remained in place to manage a minimum service administration during the Olympic “truce” declared by Macron.

The president has invited political parties to the Elysée based on their number of elected MPs for what is described as “loyal and sincere consultations” to move forward in the national interest.

On Friday morning, Macroniss cheduled to meet withre presentatives of the NFP, aleft-wing alliance formed to prevent a far-right National Rally victory in the second-round election.

The NFP, which includes the hard-left France Unbowed, the Socialist Party, the Greens, and the Communist Party, has put forward Lucie Castets, a 37-year-old civil servant, as their candidate for prime minister. Macron has already declined her nomination.

Later that day, Macron will mee twith center and center-right parties, including Les Républicains, followed by far-right representatives, such as those from the National Rally, on Monday.

 Bothcentrists and right-wing parties have threateneda no-confidence motion if a France Unbowed member leads the next government, while France Unbowed has warned of a similar motion if the new prime ministeris not from the NFP.

Although the NFP won the largest number of seats (193), itfell short of the 289 needed for an out right majority, with France Unbowed holding the majority with in the coalition.

An Elysée spokes person did not specify when a new prime minister would ben amed, stating only that Macron’s meetings aim to gather political forces represented in parliament to identify a suitable candidate.

 The spokes person highlighted three key out comes of the election: the defeat of the out going majority, the rejection of a governmentled by the far-right National Rally, and the un precedented situation where no coalition can claim amajority, marking a first in the history of the Fifth Republic.