Macron begins consultations in France to appoint new government

French President Emmanuel Macron met on Friday (23rd) with the leaders of the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition, his first political consultation on appointing a new government nearly two months after legislative elections.

Leaders of the NFP, which consists of socialists, communists, ecologists and the radical left party France Insubordination (LFI), arrived at the Elysee Palace, the French presidential palace in Paris, with their candidate for prime minister, Lucie Casteis.

The alliance asked Macron to entrust the formation of the government to the NFP because it was the group that received the most votes in the legislative elections on June 30 and July 7, but the group of 193 out of 577 deputies in the National Assembly (lower house) is far from the absolute majority of 289.

“We are here to propose stable solutions,” Castells declared, before insisting that left-wing leaders are willing to “seek compromises to free the country from its current paralysis.”

Unlike its neighbours where the powers of the head of state are more ceremonial, France has had a semi-presidential system since 1958, with Macron serving until 2027, sharing executive power with the government.

The center-right president is also responsible for nominating the prime minister, but Macron has so far refused to appoint Castiz because he believes she does not have a sufficient majority and could soon face a no-confidence motion.

Communist Party leader Fabian Roussel declared that the refusal to appoint a “prime minister from the pre-eminent coalition” was akin to a “coup”. LFI leader Manuel Bompard added that the head of state “must accept defeat”.

Gaining an absolute majority in the new National Assembly will be difficult. Excluding the NFP, Macron’s coalition managed to elect 166 deputies, followed by the far-right National Rally (RN) and its allies (142) and the traditional right (47).

The president can dissolve parliament again only in July 2025. A series of consultations with Macron’s allies and the right will continue this Friday, with far-right figures Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella having their chance on Monday.