French President Emmanuel Macron advances towards establishing a new administration.
Following several weeks of unsuccessful attempts, it seems that France's President may have identified a potential candidate for the Prime Minister position. One of the individuals being discussed is the leftist former PM, Cazeneuve. Reports suggest that the new administration could be established as early as Tuesday, as suggested by leaks from the Élysée.
Two months post the parliamentary election, indications are pointing towards an acceleration in the formation of the French government. President Macron will meet with the former socialist Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, followed by the former conservative presidential hopeful, Xavier Bertrand, on Monday. According to sources close to the President, Macron might appoint a new Prime Minister as early as Tuesday, coinciding with the commencement of the academic year in France.
Cazeneuve, who is considered less extreme than the NFP's suggested candidate, Lucie Castets, who was turned down by Macron, stated through his associates that he is not interested in "begging." If he were to assume the Prime Minister role, he would do so "out of a sense of duty" and "to alleviate the country of additional tribulations." Cazeneuve previously served as Prime Minister from late 2016 to May 2017, and before that, he held the position of Minister of the Interior.
Bertrand faced defeat in the conservative Republicans' primary prior to the 2022 presidential election and has been the President of Hauts-de-France since 2016. Former conservative President, Sarkozy, endorsed Bertrand as a suitable candidate for the Prime Minister post in an interview with "Le Figaro." Published on Friday. However, leading figures within the conservative Republicans, such as parliamentary group leader, Laurent Wauquiez, oppose any involvement of their party in a new government. Their aim is to challenge the presidential election from the opposition in 2027.
Three contenders - none with a majority
The left alliance, NFP, emerged as the most powerful force following the parliamentary election in July, surpassing Macron's camp and the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). None of the three factions hold a majority in the National Assembly.
Initially, Macron kept the incumbent government, led by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, operational, with a view to the Olympic Games in Paris, which extended until August 11. Now, time is of the essence, as France needs to submit a draft budget for 2025 by October.
Typically, after a parliamentary election, the strongest faction in the National Assembly proposes a candidate for the Prime Minister position. The President has the freedom to choose whoever he wants, but he depends on the Prime Minister securing a majority for the government's legislative proposals in the National Assembly.
The Commission, presumably referring to the French government or a specific committee, will likely be involved in the process of reviewing and approving the draft budget for 2025, as France needs to submit it by October. Following his meeting with former conservative President Sarkozy, Bertrand's potential appointment as Prime Minister by President Macron could face opposition from leading figures within the conservative Republicans, such as parliamentary group leader Wauquiez, who aim to challenge the presidential election from the opposition in 2027.
