- Macron's ongoing quest for a new Prime Minister and administration persists
After over seven weeks since the French parliamentary election, President Emmanuel Macron is attempting to form a government by holding exploratory talks. He's looking to chat with the conservatives once more, but the specific parties or individuals he's invited for discussions remain undisclosed.
In the initial parliamentary election, held about seven weeks ago, the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire, comprising Greens, Socialists, Communists, and La France Insoumise (LFI), emerged as the frontrunners. The alliance has consistently asserted its claim to lead the government. However, at the start of the week, Macron dismissed the idea of a government solely from their ranks, as he believed it wouldn't last.
Macron's centrist forces came in second place, followed by the far-right nationalists led by Marine Le Pen and her allies. No political group managed to secure an absolute majority in the National Assembly, making government formation a challenge.
A government without the left-wing camp is tough
Initially, Macron proposed a form of grand coalition, spanning from the communists to the conservatives. He ruled out collaborating with the far-right nationalists and La France Insoumise, a part of the left-wing alliance.
However, it's still unclear how a majority can be achieved. The left-wing alliance expressed disappointment that Macron didn't entertain the idea of a government led by them. The Socialists, Communists, and Greens declined to join new talks initiated by Macron, while LFI wasn't even invited. The alliance has repeatedly stated their desire to govern as a coalition.
Following a meeting with Macron, the conservatives decided against joining the government. Their willingness to support a minority government from the center camp remains uncertain.
If the conservatives agree to support a minority government from the center camp, Macron's centrist forces still wouldn't reach the absolute majority of 289 seats in the National Assembly without the support of the far-right nationalists or parties from the left-wing camp. Moreover, Macron has publicly acknowledged his camp's election defeat, and it's unlikely that the next prime minister will hail from their ranks. Therefore, it's likely that Macron continues to seek support from parties on the left-wing spectrum for a coalition government with the center camp.
Possible appointment of new prime minister during the Paralympics
The objective of Macron's talks is to appoint a new prime minister or prime minister for a stable government. The timing of this appointment remains uncertain. Macron wants to act swiftly, but he doesn't wish to overshadow the start of the Paralympic Games in the evening.
If a new prime minister is appointed during the games, the current ministers might continue in their roles on a caretaker basis, at least in the interior and sports ministries, until the closing ceremony on September 8. However, there isn't much time left afterwards, as parliamentary deliberations on the next budget are scheduled to begin in the fall.
The President, Emmanuel Macron, is reaching out to the conservatives once more in an attempt to form a government, despite the undisclosed parties involved in the discussions. Despite dismissing the idea of a government solely from the left-wing alliance, Macron's centrist forces still require support from parties on the left-wing spectrum or the far-right nationalists to reach the absolute majority in the National Assembly.
