World
President Macron Addresses Deadlocked Legislative Elections
French President Macron delivers a pivotal speech on the current deadlock in legislative elections, aiming to navigate through the political impasse and seek a way forward for the nation.
President Emmanuel Macron of France broke his silence three days after the deadlocked legislative elections, emphasizing the need for time to form a coalition government with a “broad gathering” of “republican forces.”
With only 16 days left until the Paris Olympics, uncertainty looms over the formation of a new government before the games commence. Macron has requested Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, whose resignation he declined, to continue in a caretaker role.
In a letter addressed to the French people, Macron acknowledged that “nobody won” the election he called abruptly last month, hinting at potential delays in government formation. This statement is likely to displease the New Popular Front, a left-wing alliance that secured around 180 seats in the National Assembly but fell short of the absolute majority of 289 seats needed to govern.
The New Popular Front’s intention to nominate a prime minister this week could further escalate tensions, as Macron is expected to resist their choice, in line with his constitutional authority to appoint the prime minister.
France, under the Fifth Republic’s Constitution, does not have a specified timeline for the president to select a prime minister. Unlike other European countries with parliamentary systems, France has not traditionally engaged in prolonged negotiations for coalition governments.