Who Will Head France’s New Government?
After six weeks of a parliamentary election that produced a National Assembly without a clear majority, President Emmanuel Macron faces several pressing challenges. Accusations of procrastination loom over his presidency, as he must navigate the complexities of dealing with the leftist “New Popular Union” coalition, appoint a new Prime Minister, form a government, and prepare for the upcoming political cycle and budget.
The “political truce” Macron declared during the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11 has concluded. He waited until after the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Provence before inviting political and parliamentary leaders to consult at the Élysée Palace, ahead of the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
Will France Appoint a New Prime Minister Next Week?
More than six weeks have passed since the second round of legislative elections, yet Gabriel Attal remains the acting Prime Minister. Appointed on July 16 to handle day-to-day affairs, Attal has set limits on funds and positions allocated to each ministry, a move his office explains as necessary for the incoming government to prepare the budget. This decision has been criticized by the left as a “real scandal” and a “stunning” step, accusing the administration of persisting with “austerity” measures.
No previous French President has taken this long to appoint a Prime Minister after legislative elections. This unprecedented delay reflects the fragmented nature of the current National Assembly, a scenario so atypical that one negotiator described it as “an Assembly completely outside the traditions of the Fifth Republic,” leaving many uncertain about how to approach it.
Consultations and Negotiations
On Friday morning, Macron will meet with the New Popular Union and its candidate for Prime Minister, Lucie Casté, a relatively unknown civil servant. In the afternoon, he will engage with the Republican right led by Laurent Wauquiez. On Tuesday, Macron will hold talks with far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, as well as Eric Ciotti, head of the Republicans (a right-wing party) who has allied with the National Rally, causing a major crisis within his party. The far-right has explicitly stated it has no intention of joining any coalition government.
The Élysée Palace has indicated that the appointment of the Prime Minister will emerge from these consultations and their outcomes.
Budget and Legislative Agenda
Meanwhile, on the left, these consultations coincide with the “summer universities,” traditional gatherings of left-wing youth and activists. Lucie Casté will address various leftist groups, starting with environmentalists before meeting with communists and the radical left on separate occasions. This platform will increase pressure on Macron, despite strategic disagreements within the New Popular Union, particularly regarding Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s call to isolate the president—a stance opposed by his allies.
Macron remains firm in his refusal to appoint a government led by the New Popular Union, fearing that such a government would face a vote of no confidence. So, who might be appointed to form the government?
The centrist presidential camp is hesitant to propose a candidate, while the right-wing Republicans have categorically ruled out any government agreement. However, other parties show more openness, with several names from various political orientations, including the center-left, being considered.
A presidential aide revealed that Macron has tested names of former ministers such as Xavier Bertrand, Jean-Louis Borloo, Michel Barnier, and Bernard Cazeneuve with potential interlocutors.
The president will need to coexist with this fragmented Assembly for at least a year. With the budget expected to be presented to Parliament in early October, there is an urgent need to form a government by late September to facilitate its preparation.
Key Questions and Issues:
- Strategic Shifts: How will the appointment of a new Prime Minister impact Macron’s strategy for addressing the fragmented National Assembly?
- Coalition Dynamics: What are the implications of the New Popular Union’s position on forming a coalition government?
- Budgetary Concerns: How will the delay in forming a government affect the upcoming budget and its presentation to Parliament?
- Political Stability: Will the appointment of a new Prime Minister resolve the current political instability or exacerbate it further?
As Macron navigates these complexities, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of French politics and governance.
