French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to remain in his post temporarily to ensure the country’s stability after the recent parliamentary elections left no party with an outright majority. Attal, who spearheaded Macron’s Ensemble alliance’s election campaign, initially offered his resignation on Monday, but Macron refused to accept it.
Election Results and Political Impasse
In the latest parliamentary election, Macron’s Ensemble alliance suffered significant losses, finishing second behind the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) but ahead of the far-right National Rally (RN), which had been predicted to win. The election results have led to a political deadlock, with no single party able to form a government on its own.
The Left-Wing Alliance’s Claim
The New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties formed after Macron called for elections, argues that it has earned the right to choose the next prime minister as the leading group in the National Assembly. However, the coalition faces internal divisions, with no clear candidate acceptable to both the radical France Unbowed (LFI) party and the more moderate Socialists, Greens, and Communists.
Attal’s Interim Role
Despite announcing his resignation, Attal expressed willingness to stay in his position as long as necessary. Macron’s request for him to continue in office aims to maintain stability, especially with upcoming significant events like the NATO summit and the Paris Olympics.
Financial Concerns
Outgoing Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned of an immediate risk of financial crisis and economic decline following the election results. Macron, aiming to steer clear of the political turmoil, stated that he respects the choice of the French people but will wait for the full picture to emerge in parliament before making any further decisions.
Far-Right and Future Prospects
The RN, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, failed to secure the expected majority, ending up with 143 seats—far short of their goal of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. Despite their disappointment, Le Pen and Bardella focused on the future, with Bardella set to lead a new European Parliament grouping called Patriots for Europe.
Macron’s Call for Stability
President Macron called the snap parliamentary vote in response to RN’s recent victory in EU elections. With no single group achieving an absolute majority, options for forming a new government include a technocratic government of experts, an NFP-led minority government seeking bill-by-bill support, or a broad coalition of the center-left and center-right.
Conclusion
As France navigates this unprecedented political situation, Macron’s decision to keep Attal in a caretaker role underscores the need for stability during a period of uncertainty. With the left-wing alliance divided on how to proceed and the far-right reflecting on their strategy, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of French politics.