Macron rejects formation of left-wing gov. to end political impasse
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Rather than appointing a left-wing prime minister to end the country's political uncertainty, Macron decides to start new rounds of talks to find an alternative.
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French President Emmanuel Macron pauses as he speaks during a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the village Bormes-les-Mimosas during World War II, south-eastern France, Saturday, August 17, 2024. (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the formation of a left-wing government to untangle the country's political deadlock, claiming it poses a threat to "institutional stability".
Reports previously mentioned that a new prime minister would be appointed on Tuesday, but Macron decided to initiate a new round of talks instead, sending the left-wing coalition into a rage and prompting them to call for public protests for the impeachment of the president.
"My responsibility is that the country is not blocked nor weakened," Macron said in a statement, urging "all political leaders to rise to the occasion by demonstrating a spirit of responsibility."
The New Popular Front (NFP), particularly the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), has repeatedly reiterated its right to form a leftist government, a demand that has been shut down by centrist and right-wing allies.
Macron confirmed the allegations brought forth by the NFP, saying a left-wing government "would be immediately censored by all the other groups represented in the National Assembly," adding that "the institutional stability of our country therefore requires us not to choose this option."
He further said he would start discussions with party leaders and "personalities distinguished by experience", calling on communists, socialists, and ecologists, but without mentioning the LFI, to assume their responsibilities and cooperate with the other governmental factions.
A source familiar with Macron's plans later confirmed that he would not engage in additional discussions with the LFI, the National Rally, or Eric Ciotti, the leader of the right-wing Republicans (LR), who had joined forces with Le Pen's far-right party for the snap election.
The left-wing coalition responds
The LFI responded with anger, with its national coordinator Manuel Bompard denouncing Macron's remarks as an "unacceptable anti-democratic coup," while its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, called for a "firm and strong response" by the public and politicians including a "motion of impeachment" against the president.
Previously, Bompard said the LFI will not be negotiating with Macron regarding the appointment of a new prime minister, saying, "We'll tell him that there is no alternative to Lucie Castets's appointment."
In the same context, Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel called for a "grand popular mobilization" and rejected the notion of kickstarting a new round of talks.
Similarly, Green Party leader Marine Tondelier said that "the people must get rid of Macron for the good of democracy. He is chaos and instability."
The interim government is being led by Gabriel Attal, marking a post-war record for the longest-acting prime minister France has seen. However, the pressure is mounting with the deadline for presenting the draft 2025 budget for the heavily indebted government just over a month away.
Leftist parties had advocated for the appointment of 37-year-old economist and civil servant Lucie Castets as prime minister.
Melenchon even suggested the possibility of a left-wing government without members from his own party, but this proposal has been rejected by Macron and centre-right parties.
The president has consistently labeled LFI as an "extreme" movement, equating it with Marine Le Pen's far-right.
Last month, Macron's party reached a last-minute deal with right-wing legislators to win a critical vote in parliament, paving the way for the French president to play a larger role in building the country's next administration than previously expected, Politico reported.
The two political factions formed an impromptu coalition to re-elect Yaël Braun-Pivet as leader of the French National Assembly. The vote was largely seen as a test of who could work together in France's broken parliament to choose a future prime minister.
By pooling their forces, the centrists and center right gained electoral traction while simultaneously dealing a crushing blow to their opponents further to the left.
