Political crisis in Paris: France’s left-wing party stops consultations on government formation

The new left-wing alliance that won the parliamentary elections in France is facing a major test over the question of who could become prime minister if they take over the government. In a showdown with the Socialists over the choice of a candidate, the Left Party suspended discussions on forming a government.

As long as the Socialists insist on their own candidates and veto candidates from the Left Party, discussions on forming a government will remain suspended, said the Left Party La France Insoumise. It accused the Socialists of “political blockade”.

“Enough of the manipulations,” declared Left Party founder and leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. As long as there is no agreement on joint candidacies for top positions in parliament, the Left Party will not resume “discussions about anything else.”

Mélenchon speculates on power

The left-wing alliance, which also includes the Greens and the Communists, had actually wanted to decide at the end of last week who would become prime minister if it took over the government. The Socialists named their party leader Olivier Faure as a candidate. The Left Party has Mélenchon in its sights, along with other possible candidates. However, the old left-wing strategist is a thorn in the side of many, even within his own party, because of his autocratic and polemical manner.

After the Left Party temporarily broke off the discussions, the Socialists announced in the evening that they had agreed with the Greens and the Communists on a joint candidate for the office of Prime Minister. This would be a personality from civil society behind whom the entire Left could rally. The personality had also been proposed to the Left Party, and they were counting on an immediate resumption of joint discussions.

Socialists, Greens and Communists for candidate from civil society

The Socialists did not disclose who the candidate from civil society was. Immediately after the election, there was talk of the former head of the CFDT union, Laurent Berger.

In the short term, the dispute within the left-wing coalition could play into President Emmanuel Macron’s hands, as he is unlikely to commission a divided left-wing camp to form a government. Observers also suspect, however, that the dispute between the left-wing parties is already about dominance in a possible early presidential election. In view of the political crisis, Macron could be forced to step down before the end of his term in office in 2027.