French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that his centrist government will remain in power until the end of the Olympic Games after refusing to appoint a left-wing candidate as prime minister.
Just before his first interview after the snap election, on France 2 on the evening of July 23, the left-wing coalition New Popular Front had surprised Macron by proposing senior civil servant Lucie Castets for the prime minister position.
During the subsequent interview, Macron dismissed the proposal and said the nation should focus on the Olympics, which runs from 26 July to 11 August, to avoid confusion.
“We’re in no position to change things, because it would create disorder,” he said.
Macron reiterated his position of July 10, calling for MPs to form a coalition to prevent a vote of no confidence and avoid a parliamentary dissolution.
“If the political forces want to achieve a majority, then there will be no dissolution,” he said.
Macron’s refusal to appoint a left-wing prime minister could be seen by some as a regime in crisis.
Several prominent figures from the French hard-left party La France Insoumise have announced the formation of their breakaway political movement, while President Macron’s Renaissance party is on the verge of collapse. https://t.co/PTxIrw2Zlr
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) July 12, 2024
Although he has no legal obligation to name a left-wing PM, it is customary for the President to appoint a prime minister from the coalition or party with the most seats in the Assembly, regardless of its composition.
His refusal to name such could mark a precedent under the Fifth Republic, France’s current republican system of government.
Macron’s refusal may also weaken his position as the head of state. Many French voters feel postponing a nomination constitutes a “denial of democracy”.
The left-wing opposition accused him of being “irresponsible”.
The French Left has pushed President Emmanuel Macron to appoint a left-wing prime minister as well as continue to marginalise Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. https://t.co/u6928H9Ju2
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) July 9, 2024
Castets urged Macron to appoint her as prime minister, asserting she was ready to govern.
“I think I’m a credible and serious candidate for a President who values technical profiles,” she said on July 24.
“We will continue to put pressure on the President to heed the verdict of the ballot box,” she added.
She also called on “civil society” to help her achieve her aim. France’s biggest union has already threatened protests unless Macron paved the way for a left-wing government.
The Green leader, Marine Tondelier, reacted to the President’s comments, saying: “The French are waiting for a change of direction. You were waiting for a name for Matignon [the official residence of the prime minister], now you have it, you have to answer.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the French hard-left party La France Insoumise, called for the President to agree to the demands or resign.
“The President refuses the result of the election and wants to forcefully impose his new Republican Front on us and force us to renounce our programme [in order] to ally with him.
“There is no question. Respect the vote of the French. He must submit or resign!” he said on X.
Le Président refuse le résultat de l'élection et veut nous imposer de force son nouveau Front républicain et nous obliger à renoncer à notre programme pour faire une alliance avec lui. Il n'en est pas question. Respectez le vote des Français. Il doit se soumettre ou se démettre !…
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) July 23, 2024
