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French President Emmanuel Macron has plunged France into further political chaos by refusing to appoint a prime minister from the left-wing coalition that won the most parliamentary seats in last month’s snap elections. The president hopes the consultations will break the political deadlock caused by the elections, which has divided the National Assembly into three roughly equal groups (left, center and far right), but no one group has a majority of seats.
Macron’s decision not to choose a new Popular Front candidate was met with anger and threats of impeachment after two days of talks with party leaders and parliament to break the deadlock and allow him to appoint a prime minister with cross-party support. In a statement issued the evening before, the Elysee Palace called the discussions held last Friday “fair, honest and useful” but said no practical solution could be reached.
Explaining his decision, Macron said a government formed by a new Popular Front left-wing coalition of the rebels, the Socialists, the Greens and the Communists would immediately lead to a vote of no confidence and the collapse of the French government. “Such a government would be immediately opposed by a majority of more than 350 deputies, effectively preventing it from taking action,” he added, concluding that “according to the views expressed by the political leaders consulted, the institutional stability of our country means that this option should not be pursued.”
Macron’s announcement came days after he began a new round of consultations with party leaders and senior politicians, saying: “In this unprecedented moment in the Fifth Republic, when the French people are placing great expectations, the head of state calls on all political leaders to … show a spirit of responsibility. “My responsibility is to ensure that the situation in the country is not hampered or weakened,” the president added in his statement.
Following the announcement, France’s National Front party said it would not take part in further talks unless the formation of a government was discussed and the makeshift left-wing coalition was able to overcome the threat of the far-right National Rally in the second round of legislative elections in July. The coalition won the most seats in parliament, including 577, and said any new prime minister must come from it.
The National Front party nominated Lucie Castets, a 37-year-old economist and head of the Paris finance department, as its candidate. After the announcement on Monday, National Front leader Jean-Luc Melenchon accused Macron of creating a “very dangerous situation.” “The popular and political response must be swift and decisive,” Melenchon said.
The New Popular Front called for the demonstrations, urging the president to “respect democracy” and saying it would submit a proposal to remove Macron. “The President of the Republic does not recognize the referendum results that put the New Popular Front at the top of the polls and refuses to appoint Lucie Castets as prime minister,” she said in a statement. Green Party Secretary General Marine Tonder said the president’s actions represented a “shame” and a “dangerous democratic irresponsibility.” About the Guardian
• After two days of talks with party and parliamentary leaders to break the deadlock and allow him to appoint a prime minister with cross-party support, Macron decided not to choose the candidate of the new Popular Front, sparking anger and threats of impeachment.
• The New Popular Front called for the demonstrations, urging Macron to “respect democracy” and saying it would submit a proposal to remove him because Macron does not recognize the popular election results poll that put the New Popular Front at the top of parliament.
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