Macron’s leadership is under pressure as he navigates the challenges of forming a new French government, with stability at stake and a presidential term hanging in the balance.
President Emmanuel Macron vowed to serve out his second term as French president, despite months of political turmoil in France. The situation has been unstable since Michel Barnier was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote eight days ago. Macron had called snap parliamentary elections during the summer and now needs to form a government that will not be brought down like Barnier’s.
Macron has already held talks with leaders from all main political parties, except for the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen. He is considering either seeking to bring centre-left parties into his government or agreeing a pact so they do not oust the next prime minister as well.
Among favourites to replace Barnier were centrist MoDem leader François Bayrou, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and centre-left ex-prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve. However, relations between the centre left and radical LFI have broken down over talks on forming a new government.
The situation is expected to continue until Macron announces his choice for prime minister on Friday morning, after holding round-table talks with leaders from all main parties.
