France Search for a government: Macron holds consultations

A good six weeks after the parliamentary elections, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to pave the way for a government with a series of talks.

This morning, the head of state met with representatives of the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire. The alliance had received the most votes in the elections. However, it is still just under 100 seats short of an absolute majority in the National Assembly.

"Need an answer on Tuesday"

The left-wing camp was confident after the talks. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier said: "We are leaving this meeting with good news." The leader of the Socialists, Olivier Faure, said that Macron had recognized that stability was not synonymous with the continuation of his policies. This was an important signal.

On the nomination of a new prime minister, which is to take place after the consultations, Faure said: "He has not announced an exact date, but has said that it will happen quickly." Tondelier demanded: "He will end his consultations on Monday. We need an answer on Tuesday."

Macron wants a broad majority for government

In the parliamentary elections just over six weeks ago, the left-wing alliance came first - ahead of Macron's centrist forces and the right-wing nationalists led by Marine Le Pen. None of the camps received an absolute majority. Since the election, the country has been at a political standstill. Although Macron accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, he did not appoint a new head of government.

The representatives of the Nouveau Front Populaire alliance of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), Communists, Socialists and Greens once again made their claim to government clear after the meeting with Macron. Their candidate for prime minister, Lucie Castets, said: "As of today, I am ready to build these coalitions, to talk to the other political forces, to try to find a way to guarantee the stability of the country."

Macron had repeatedly emphasized that he wanted a large and stable majority for a government. He called on the parties to work together across party lines. The talks should now look at how the parties can achieve this goal, according to the Élysée Palace.

Positions difficult to reconcile

After the left, Macron met with his own center camp. He then expects the conservatives and two smaller parliamentary groups. On Monday, the head of state then wants to talk to the right-wing nationalists around Marine Le Pen and the leaders of both chambers of parliament.

It is unclear exactly how a solution is to be found during the talks. Macron's camp has repeatedly made it clear that cooperation with the sometimes populist left-wing party LFI is out of the question. However, the left-wing alliance insists on acting together - i.e. in a coalition of LFI, communists, greens and socialists.