07/27 – International News Story & Updates

French President Emmanuel Macron announced earlier this week that his outgoing government will remain in place until mid-August, prioritizing stability during the Olympic Games in Paris. [Reuters]

Macron stated that he will not select a new government until after the Paris Olympics. [BBC]

Macron’s decision came amid a left-wing alliance’s bid to name financial crime specialist Lucie Castets as their candidate for prime minister, following their win in the recent parliamentary elections.

The left-wing coalition, New Popular Front, secured the most seats in this month’s parliamentary elections; yet they fell far short of achieving a majority. 

Macron clearly displayed his rejection of the Left’s PM choice to nominate Castets shortly after the relatively unknown civil servant was suggested for the position. 

France’s newly fragmented parliament, divided into three main blocs, has resulted in a deadlock, preventing any single party from forming a majority government.

In a televised interview, Macron dismissed the Left’s proposal, emphasizing that the focus should be on creating a workable majority in the National Assembly rather than on specific names. 

Left-wing politicians accused him of trying to “cancel the result of the legislative elections.” [BBC] 

President Macron’s ruling centrist alliance suffered heavy losses in the elections, but he asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his ministers to stay on in the form of a caretaker government until replacements are appointed.

Macron criticized the Left for not securing enough seats and their unwillingness to negotiate with other political forces, underscoring that it is the president’s constitutional prerogative to appoint the prime minister. [Reuters]

The leftist New Popular Front coalition, which includes the hard-left France Unbowed, the Socialists, the Greens, and the Communists, has been embroiled in internal disputes over their prime ministerial candidate. 

Despite their success in the elections, they lack the numbers to impose their choice, as Macron’s centrists also seek to form a functional government.

Macron’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing leaders, who accuse him of being out of touch with the public’s will. Nevertheless, Macron maintains that ensuring a stable government during the Olympic Games is of utmost priority, pushing back against the left’s attempts to leverage their electoral gains.

“The subject is not a name given by a political party,” Macron told broadcaster France 2. “We need to concentrate on the Games until mid-August,” he said. “From then it will be my responsibility to name a prime minister (…) with the broadest possible backing.” [Le Monde] 

Opinion: 

As France gears up to host the world games, political deadlock persists, with President Macron advocating for broader coalition-building to tackle crucial national issues. Macron did not specify the nature of the coalition he envisions but emphasized the importance of addressing the key concerns like immigration and security. His comments have reignited speculation about a potential alliance between Macron’s centrist party and the conservatives to govern France. [Politico] 

He secured a significant victory recently when a cross-party agreement was reached with the Republican Right political group, which was formed after some conservatives aligned with the far right, to reelect centrist Yaël Braun-Pivet as president of the National Assembly on July 18. [Politico] 

Left-leaning parliament members are heavily criticizing Macron’s actions, claiming that Macron is going against the elected majority of the new parliament and in effect ignoring the votes and wishes of the people. 

Leaders within the left-wing alliance are calling out Macron, alleging that he is trying to impose his own Republican coalition push through non-leftist led government.

– P.T.