The parliamentary elections in France did not produce a clear majority. This is a challenge for politics. Is a new prime minister in sight?
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun official talks with the country’s political forces in order to find a government six weeks after the parliamentary elections. This morning, the head of state met representatives of the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire. The alliance came out on top in the elections. However, it is still almost 100 seats short of an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
Since France elected its lower house a month and a half ago, there has been a political standstill in the country. Left and centre forces averted what initially seemed to be a victory for the right-wing nationalists around Marine Le Pen. Le Pen’s party and its allies came in third place behind Macron’s centre forces. Neither camp was able to gain a government majority. Macron accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, but has not yet appointed a new head of government.
Agreement difficult to predict
The left-wing camp is claiming the government mandate for itself after the election victory. The alliance had already agreed a month ago that civil servant Lucie Castets should become prime minister. “There is no plan B instead of Lucie Castets,” said Green Party leader Marine Tondelier on France Inter before the meeting with Macron. Manuel Bompard, chairman of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), said that not appointing Castets would be autocratic.
Macron had repeatedly stressed that he wanted a large and stable majority for a government. He called on the parties to work together across political lines.
On Friday, there will be consultations with Macron’s center camp, the conservatives and smaller factions. On Monday, Macron will then speak with the right-wing nationalists and the chairmen of both parliamentary chambers.
After the consultations, a new prime minister is to be appointed. It is unclear when exactly Macron will appoint him.
Source: Stern
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