International
President Emmanuel Macron To Name New Prime Minister Today
French President Emmanuel Macron will delay naming France’s next prime minister until Friday (today), according to the Elysée Palace, as he seeks to end months of political stalemate following the ousting of Michel Barnier in a no-confidence vote last week.
Macron, who cut short a visit to Poland on Thursday, was initially expected to announce his decision upon returning to Paris. However, his office confirmed that a statement would now be made on Friday morning.
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The political deadlock began over the summer after Macron’s snap parliamentary elections left the National Assembly fractured among three major blocs: the left, the centre, and the far-right. Barnier, Macron’s third prime minister this year, lasted just three months before being removed, as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally joined forces with left-wing MPs to reject his budget proposals for €60 billion in tax cuts and spending increases.
An opinion poll for BFMTV on Thursday revealed that 61% of French voters are concerned about the ongoing instability, as Macron faces mounting pressure to form a government capable of navigating the divided parliament.
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Among the top candidates to replace Barnier are François Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party; Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu; and former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve. However, finding a prime minister who can command enough parliamentary support remains a challenge.
Macron has held consultations with leaders of major parties, excluding Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. The president aims to build either a broad-based coalition or secure agreements that prevent further no-confidence votes.
Three centre-left parties—the Socialists, Greens, and Communists—have engaged in talks with Macron but have demanded a prime minister from their ideological camp. Greens leader Marine Tondelier expressed skepticism about Bayrou’s suitability and dismissed Cazeneuve as a candidate due to his past criticism of their movement.
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Relations between the centre-left and LFI have deteriorated, with Mélenchon urging his former allies to avoid any deal with Macron. Socialist leader Olivier Faure dismissed Mélenchon’s calls, suggesting they had lost influence.
Meanwhile, Le Pen has insisted that her party’s cost-of-living policies be reflected in the new government’s budget to maintain cooperation.
Barnier’s caretaker government has proposed a temporary extension of the 2024 budget, but a new budget for 2025 will require approval from the next administration. Macron, whose second term runs until 2027, must now navigate a divided parliament to stabilize French politics and avoid further reliance on the far right for legislative support.
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