French President Emmanuel Macron is set to name a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, according to sources close to him on Tuesday, December 10.
The announcement follows the fall of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government, which was brought down by a coalition of the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far-right Rassemblement National (RN).
Macron convened a meeting with leaders from various political parties, with the notable exception of the RN and LFI, both of whom played a significant role in ousting Barnier.
The French political landscape is in flux after the breakdown of the alliance that had supported Barnier, which included Macron’s centrist camp and the conservative Les Républicains (LR).
The failure to secure a majority in the National Assembly ultimately led to Barnier’s resignation, and the political divide is now threatening the stability of the French government.
The president’s efforts to find a replacement for Barnier come as the country grapples with the urgent task of clarifying its 2025 finances.
Macron is seeking to avoid an early election and instead build a broader base of support for the new government.
However, this process is expected to be challenging, with political leaders reluctant to compromise on divisive issues like the highly unpopular pension reform from the previous year.
At the meeting, Macron emphasized the importance of not relying on the far-right RN for support in the future.
Greens leader Marine Tondelier, speaking after the discussions, noted that the presidential camp was unwilling to make compromises with opposition parties but stressed the president’s determination to avoid an early election.
Macron’s statement about not calling elections until the end of his term in 2027 was described as a “desire” rather than a firm commitment.
Despite Macron’s push for unity, the road ahead remains uncertain. Several political parties, including the Greens and Socialists, have firmly ruled out joining a “national interest” government under the president’s leadership.
The Socialists, in particular, have made it clear that they would only serve under a left-wing prime minister, which remains unacceptable to conservative factions.
In the absence of a quick resolution to the crisis, Macron’s office announced plans to present a special budget law to ensure the continued functioning of the French state.
The law will allow France to maintain operations despite a budget deficit forecast to exceed 6% of GDP this year, making it the worst performer in the European Union, after Romania.
Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill on December 16, with most parties indicating their support to maintain governmental stability.
Outside the talks, the RN positioned itself as a political outsider, with Marine Le Pen claiming the “medal of the opposition” and criticizing mainstream parties for squabbling over government positions.
Meanwhile, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon warned left-wing allies against breaking ranks, stressing the importance of maintaining unity within the left-wing coalition.
As France navigates this political uncertainty, it remains to be seen how Macron will manage to build a lasting majority and stabilize the government amidst ongoing divisions. The coming days will be crucial for shaping the country’s political future.
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