Macron Dismisses Call for New Election After Government Collapse
French President Emmanuel Macron has turned down a suggestion from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to hold another election following the recent downfall of another government in Paris.
Prime Minister François Bailloux officially submitted his resignation to President Macron at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday. The day before, he achieved a confidence vote in the National Assembly, attempting to validate a range of unpopular austerity measures designed to tackle France’s growing debt levels.
This incident makes Bailou the fourth shortest-serving prime minister since the fifth republic was established in 1958. His successor will be the fifth prime minister appointed by Macron since his re-election in 2022, marking the collapse of two governments in just ten months.
Despite persistent divisions in Parliament, Macron’s contentious electoral agreement last year has resulted in a new leftist coalition, intended to block Le Pen’s National Assembly from gaining power. The president is expected to announce Bailou’s replacement within “days.”
Gabriel Atal, another former prime minister and Macron ally, is among those being considered. He suggested on Tuesday that a negotiator should consult party leaders to find a consensus candidate capable of navigating next year’s budget. Atal mentioned involving individuals from outside political circles, such as trade unions, to address “minority points” that future prime ministers will handle.
In response, Marine Le Pen remarked that “Macron’s camp is hitting rock bottom.” She criticized the idea that appointing a mediator would be beneficial, likening it to choosing umpires after the teams had left the field. She noted that the French are tired of yet another “loser’s roundtable” and want a chance to vote again.
Meanwhile, the left has urged Macron to consider appointing a socialist or green politician, though this seems unlikely due to resistance from the centrist Les Républicains party. Home Minister Bruno Le Maire emphasized that his party would not support a socialist prime minister.
This situation suggests that Macron might again look to appoint someone from the centrist establishment. Various names are being floated in Paris, including Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt, and others.
Moreover, Jaere Brown Pivett, the chairman of Macron’s Renaissance party, is also seen as a possible candidate for prime minister.
In any case, the next government will likely continue struggling to pass national budgets, much like Bailloux’s administration and even the shorter-lived prior government.
Jordan Bardella, Chairman of the National Rally, pointed out that if Macron selects a new prime minister, that person will have to break away from the policies of the past eight years, or risk repeating the same mistakes.
Since Macron assumed office, France’s debt has ballooned dramatically. It now stands at around €3.3 trillion, or approximately 114% of GDP, rendering it one of the highest in the EU, surpassed only by Italy and Greece. Meanwhile, fiscal deficits are currently at 5.8%, significantly above the EU’s target of 3%, raising concerns across the bloc.
If France does not make some changes, it could face economic repercussions from Brussels and further declines in its credit rating.
The political and economic instability may escalate in the coming days. Trade unions are planning a nationwide strike, set to begin Wednesday, which might lead to widespread protests and potential riots across the country.
