Six weeks after the parliamentary elections, France still does not have a new government. Macron wants to find a solution through talks. Are the parties’ positions compatible?
A good six weeks after the parliamentary elections, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to pave the way for a government with a series of talks. In the morning, the head of state met representatives of the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire. The alliance received the most votes in the elections. However, it is still almost 100 seats short of an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
“Need an answer on Tuesday”
The left wing appeared confident after the talks. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier said: “We are leaving this meeting with good news.” The leader of the Socialists, Olivier Faure, said that Macron had acknowledged that stability does not mean continuing his policies. This was an important signal.
Regarding the nomination of a new prime minister, which is to take place after the consultations, Faure said: “He has not announced a precise date, but said that it will happen quickly.” Tondelier demanded: “He will end his consultations on Monday. We need an answer on Tuesday.”
Macron wants broad majority for government
In the parliamentary elections six weeks ago, the left-wing alliance came in first place – ahead of Macron’s centrist forces and the right-wing nationalists around Marine Le Pen. Neither camp received an absolute majority. Since the election, there has been political stagnation in the country. Macron accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, but did not appoint a new head of government.
After the meeting with Macron, representatives of the Nouveau Front Populaire alliance, made up of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), the Communists, the Socialists and the Greens, once again made clear their desire to form a government. Their candidate for the office of Prime Minister, Lucie Castets, said: “From today onwards, I am ready to build these coalitions, to talk to the other political forces, to try to find a way to guarantee the stability of the country.”
Macron had repeatedly stressed that he wanted a large and stable majority for a government. He called on the parties to work together across party lines. The talks should now look at how the parties can achieve this goal, the Élysée Palace said.
Positions difficult to reconcile
After the left, Macron met with his own center camp, which initially made no official statements about the meeting. After their conversation with Macron, the conservatives made it clear that they did not want to be part of a government coalition and would vote no confidence in any government with the participation of the left-wing LFI. In the late afternoon, Macron expected two smaller factions. On Monday, the head of state will then speak with the right-wing nationalists around Marine Le Pen and the chairmen of both parliamentary chambers.
It is unclear how exactly a solution is to be found in the talks. Macron’s camp has repeatedly made it clear that it rules out cooperation with the sometimes populist left-wing party LFI. However, the left-wing alliance insists on acting together – that is, in a union of LFI, communists, Greens and socialists.
Source: Stern

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