Paris, December 10, 2024 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated cross-party talks aimed at forming a “government of national interest” after the ousting of Prime Minister Michel Barnier plunged France into a political crisis.
Invitations were extended to party leaders for discussions at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday at 2 p.m., a shift from Macron’s earlier approach of individual meetings. However, only those willing to engage in compromise were invited, excluding the far-right National Rally (RN) and hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), according to the presidency.
Political Deadlock and Crisis
Since snap elections in July, France’s parliament has been evenly divided among a left-wing alliance, Macron’s centrists, and the far right, leading to legislative gridlock. Macron’s appointment of conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister in September aimed to bridge this divide, but Barnier was toppled last week in a no-confidence vote over a controversial cost-cutting draft budget for 2025.
Macron’s call for a broad-based meeting signals the complexity of assembling a new executive, with potential compromises required between centre-left, centrist, and conservative factions. The initial discussions will focus on agreeing on a methodology to find consensus, the Élysée stated.
Calls for Urgency and Resilience
Amid mounting pressure to resolve the impasse, Macron has faced calls for swift action. Parliament Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet urged rapid movement, while Green Party leader Marine Tondelier stressed the need for the president to propose policies that depart from the status quo.
Some have even called for Macron’s resignation and fresh presidential elections. However, Macron, 46, remains defiant, vowing to serve out his term and promising to appoint a new prime minister in the “coming days.”
Potential Prime Minister Candidates
François Bayrou, leader of the MoDem party allied with Macron, has emerged as a potential contender for the premiership, expressing willingness to help navigate the crisis. However, his candidacy has drawn criticism, particularly from the left. Raphael Glucksmann, a prominent centre-left politician, called for a prime minister “compatible with the left,” while Tondelier argued that Bayrou’s political stance lacks broad support.
The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, comprising Greens, Communists, Socialists, and LFI, may play a pivotal role in forming a new government. However, internal divisions within the NFP have surfaced, with LFI rejecting any cooperation with Macron while other alliance members remain open to dialogue.
Broader Implications
Macron faces immense pressure to establish a government capable of surviving no-confidence votes and passing crucial legislation, including the 2025 budget, to avoid prolonged political and economic uncertainty.
The weekend reopening of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, attended by world leaders including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, provided a temporary reprieve from the crisis.
As Barnier continues in a caretaker role, Macron’s ability to broker compromise and form a stable government will be crucial to restoring confidence in France’s political system.
