Internal tensions, parliamentary defeat… the Popular Front’s difficult electoral aftermath

Time in politics does not follow the same logic as chronological time. In just over ten days, the equivalent of several months of events can occur. This style of thing has happened in politics FranceLess than two weeks later July 7 legislative electionsLeft Alliance New People’s Front (NFP) He has squandered some of the capital he gained from his unexpected victory. From the joy and excitement of the second round of election night, some of his supporters have begun to become disappointed with the inability of the coalition parties to solve problems. Agree on possible prime minister candidate.

“I’m ashamed of what’s happening on the left right now,” he admitted. Alexia41. The film technician took part in a small demonstration at the Place de la République in Paris on Thursday. Organized at the request of the president Emmanuel Macron The rally also reflected the anger among some progressive voters towards the Popular Front leaders by appointing a prime minister from a non-farm party.”They are proving those who said the left can’t govern rightbecause in reality it is not uniting, but dividing. And he cannot agree on a name for the prime minister, “he lamented. Laura31 years old, journalist, present as a protester.

Created by Insoumise, France Socialist Party (PS), through the Greens and the Communists, the Popular Front As the first force Although in the National Assembly Still a long way from the absolute majority threshold (289)The left-wing coalition has 193 deputies after the formation of parliamentary groups on Thursday, ahead of Macron’s party with 166 and the far-right National Restructuring (RN) and its allies142. According to political tradition, Fifth Republicthe first force eventually prevailed. However, since July 7, the president has been reluctant to appoint a Prime Minister Left wing.

A tentative alliance between Macron and the Republican right

“No one has won,” Macron argued in a controversial letter to all French citizens published on July 10, in which he called on “all Republican forces” to “build a solid majority.” To the extent that centrist leaders – who are increasingly leaning to the right – Advocate for “grand union” between Macronism, the Republicans (LR, associated with the PP) and the Socialists. However, this hypothesis is currently on the decline, as the Socialists are not interested in it, while the Socialists have managed to rise from the ashes thanks to a unified alliance with other left parties. Moreover, this “grand coalition” also did not achieve an absolute majority, Because it only has 279 seats.

Not like SpainIn France, electing a chief executive does not require an inaugural vote by parliament. Macron can therefore appoint whomever he wants, although a government without parliamentary support could easily be overthrown by a no-confidence motion. Situations of crisis and political blockade. Currently, there are three almost impermeable blocks between them,” the political scientist recalled. Benjamin MorelProfessor of Constitutional Law at Pantheon Assas University.

The president’s main strategies for trying to retain power in the government include: Alliance with LRThe fourth largest party in the House of Representatives, with 47 seats, will lead to an unorthodox agreement between the two parties. The two spaces that lost the most representation in the election – Macronism fell to 84 seats and Republican Right to 15 seats – they only have 213 representatives, 75 more than the absolute majority.

Nevertheless, this assumption Voting on Thursday to elect the speaker of the National AssemblyAfter more than five hours and three rounds of scrutiny – an unprecedented event in the history of the Fifth Republic – Macronist Jael Braun-Pivvy to continue presiding over parliamentAs she has been doing since the summer of 2022. She won by a narrow margin, ultimately winning by just 13 votes: 220 for the centrist candidate and 207 for the Communist candidate Andre Chassaignesupported by all the Popular Front parties.

Victory Brown Pete This is because Macronism and the Republican RightAccording to liberal newspapers ViewpointInterim Prime Minister, Gabriel Artellon the distribution of key posts in the House of Commons Laurent Vauquezthe chairman of the LR parliamentary group. In exchange for supporting the presidential coalition candidate to preside over parliament, the Macronists supported the Republican Right candidate in several key positions that usually correspond to the main opposition force, rather than the fourth. For example, the chairman of the prestigious Finance Committee or one of the parliamentary secretariats.

“Disagreements over political line”

“People were expecting change. (…) This situation is disgusting,” criticized Communist Party member Chasseni after the vote. Keep everything as it isat least in the presidency of parliament. “This is a new phase in the president’s fatal blow, his refusal to recognize the results of the polls,” lamented rebellious MP Aurélien Lecoq in a statement to parliament. people Although not binding on the future composition of the executive committee, Thursday’s vote means Setbacks for the Popular Front.

In fact, it reinforces Macron’s claim that the left did not win the election because it was far from an absolute majority. Tense negotiations between different progressive factions The Popular Front must wake up, the economist and diplomat asked on Thursday. Lawrence Tubiana In a statement to the digital newspaper Media Section. Together with the Chairperson of the Conference, Huguet Belloher name was among those proposed to serve as prime minister in a hypothetical NFP government. But none of them reached a consensus.

Stefano Palombarini: “There are differences within the NFP on political lines. This is not a fight about positions and people”

“There are divisions within the NFP on political lines. “This is not a fight for positions and people.”in defense of political scientists Stefano Palombariniauthor of interesting article The Fantasy of the Bourgeois GroupAccording to the professor from the University of Paris VIII, within the Progressive Alliance, on the one hand, there is the main force of 72 deputies, the Insoumise France line, committed to forming an executive body with the goal of implementing the plan, such as increasing the minimum wage Net amount up to EUR 1,600 or repeal the pension reform. On the other hand, the Socialist Party (66 seats) is more inclined to Modify some points of the program from scratch Trying to ally with the Macronist left.

“But if Macron calls on the Popular Front parties to form a government, this discussion will be resolved quickly,” Palombarini said. The expert believes that the main reason for the current blockade is The president refused to advise the left that they should try to form a government.NFP leaders are also aware of this and while their agreement has also been a goal to send a message to voters, some of them are deeply disappointed with the handling of the July 7 result.

The Socialist Party proposed on Friday All NFP delegates voted A potential prime minister for the designated coalition. But rebellious France opposes that option, at least for now. “We need a strong and consensual head of government,” the deputy said. Paul Vanierwho are part of the hard core Jean-Luc Melenchonthe party’s veteran leader. After the euphoria of an unexpected victory there is always the more difficult-to-manage election hangover.