France’s Macron to hold talks with key political players in a bid to form a new government
Associated PressAUG 29 2024
France's Pres. Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday his refusal to appoint Lucie Castets from the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) coalition, which has about a third of the seats in the National Assembly, as prime minister.French Pres. Emmanuel Macron announced Monday his refusal to appoint as prime minister Lucie Castets from the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) coalition, which has about a third of the seats in the National Assembly.
This comes as the leaders of the right-wing National Rally (RN), Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, warned Macron that a vote of no confidence would be put forward if a leftist government was installed.This comes as the leaders of the right-wing National Rally (RN), Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, warned Macron that a vote of no confidence would be put forward if he installed a leftist government.
On Tuesday, the French president met independent legislators to start a new round of talks that will include a meeting with conservative figures and the center-right Republicans the next day. Communists, Greens and Socialists have rejected new talks, while both the RN and the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) were't invited.On Tuesday, the French president met independent legislators to start a new round of talks, which will continue with meetings with conservative figures and the center-right Republicans on Wednesday. Communists, Greens and Socialists have rejected new talks, while the RN and the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) were't invited.
The leftist bloc may have agreed on Lucie Castets as their candidate for prime minister, but Macron has a constitutional duty to ensure the stability of the country. If he were to appoint Castets, all other groups would form a majority to vote a motion of no-confidence against her government — and that's definitely not what institutional stability looks like.
That Macron and his centrist allies are still in denial doesn't affect the fact that the French people have given a clear mandate to the leftist NFP. Therefore, his moves to deny the largest alliance its chance to form a new government and grab power through covert plots indicate his undemocratic disregard for the popular vote.
Macron is on a dangerous path against both the most voted party — the right-wing National Rally — and the largest group — the NFP — in a desperate power grab after his camp suffered a massive defeat in legislative elections. As he does so, he denies democracy and undermines the republic's institutions and the sovereignty of the people.