Macron Requests Attal to Stay Temporarily Amid Political Uncertainty
In a move to ensure stability in France, President Emmanuel Macron has asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to remain in his post 'for the moment'. This decision comes in the wake of the recent parliamentary elections, which resulted in a hung parliament and the loss of the government's dominant position.
Attal, who had gone to the Elysée Palace to present his resignation, agreed to stay on temporarily. This gesture aligns with French political traditions, where the acting officer remains in place until a new prime minister is appointed. Macron expressed gratitude for Attal's leadership during the European and legislative election campaigns.
Deliberations Begin to Appoint a New Prime Minister
Following the unexpected election results, the French political class has commenced deliberations to form a majority and appoint a new prime minister. The elections resulted in a divided National Assembly with three main blocs, making it challenging to establish a stable government.
The far-left New Popular Front emerged as the leading force with 182 seats, followed by Macron's Ensemble with 168 seats, and the National Assembly with 143 seats. Despite not achieving an absolute majority, the New Popular Front, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has become a significant force in French politics.
Representatives of the New Popular Front are set to meet to propose a candidate for prime minister. Clementine Autin, a representative of the alliance, emphasized the need for the coalition to present a unified candidate. Meanwhile, MP François Ruffin called for a 'gentle' government, subtly criticizing Mélenchon's leadership style.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin also met with Macron at the Elysée Palace, following Attal's resignation offer. The discussions focused on the next steps for the government amid the current political landscape.
The outcome of the elections has left France in an unprecedented state of uncertainty. The New Popular Front's unexpected rise and the fragmented nature of the National Assembly pose significant challenges for the formation of a stable government. As deliberations continue, the political class is tasked with navigating this complex scenario to ensure effective governance.
- The German Chancellor's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, expressed relief over the election results, acknowledging the unusual political constellation that has emerged. He highlighted the importance of observing the forthcoming political developments and mentioned that Chancellor Scholz would discuss the situation with President Macron at the NATO summit in Washington.
- The Kremlin has stated that it holds no particular hopes or illusions following the French parliamentary elections, indicating a cautious approach to the evolving political scenario in France.
- The final results of the legislative elections are as follows: New Popular Front with 182 seats, Ensemble with 168 seats, National Assembly with 143 seats, and the Républicains and various right-wingers with 60 seats. These results reflect the fragmented nature of the current political landscape in France.
