French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that he will not support a government led by the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, despite the alliance securing the most seats in last month's legislative election. Macron emphasized the need for institutional stability in France, arguing that the left would be unable to win a confidence vote in parliament.
The NFP, which proposed the relatively unknown civil servant Lucie Castets as its candidate for prime minister, responded by calling for street protests and Macron's impeachment. Macron, whose centrist Ensemble alliance came in second place in July, announced plans to begin new consultations with party leaders on Tuesday and urged the left to collaborate with other political forces.
No single party achieved a majority in the elections, with the NFP winning over 190 seats, Macron's Ensemble alliance securing 160, and the far-right National Rally (RN) obtaining 140. Since the election, a caretaker government has been in place, even during the Paris Olympics, which has angered the NFP.
Macron has been in discussions about forming a new government since the election and stated that he would continue these efforts. He emphasized his responsibility to prevent the country from becoming "blocked or weakened." Macron also pointed out that the Socialist Party, the Greens, and the Communists had yet to propose ways to work with other political forces and urged them to do so. However, he notably did not mention France Unbowed (LFI), a key component of the NFP.
The LFI reacted strongly to Macron's comments, with national coordinator Manuel Bompard describing them as an "unacceptable anti-democratic coup." Communist leader Fabien Roussel warned of a "serious crisis in our country," while Green leader Marine Tondelier stated on X (formerly Twitter) that three-quarters of the French people desired a "political break with Macronism."
The leftist coalition has refused to participate in any further consultations unless the candidacy of Ms. Castets for prime minister is considered. However, the 37-year-old economist, who is unelected, is seen as an unlikely choice for the presidency.
Both Ensemble and RN have pledged to vote against any candidates from the NFP. After meeting with Macron on Monday, RN leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella described the NFP as a "danger" to France. Other potential candidates being discussed in political circles include former Socialist interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Xavier Bertrand, a regional leader from the center-right Republicans.
