Emmanuel Macron is trying to overcome the deep institutional crisis that has opened up in France after the legislative elections called in the wake of the European debacle. The first signs are not positive. The French president has charged Michel Barnier with “forming a coalition government at the service of the country and the French people,” reads a note from the Elysée on the appointment of the prime minister. “This appointment comes after an unprecedented round of consultations during which, in accordance with his constitutional duty, the president has assured that the prime minister and the government to come will respect the conditions to be as stable as possible and will give itself the possibility of the broadest coalition,” the note underlines.
A move that immediately provoked an outcry from left-wing political forces, united in the New Popular Front (NFP). For the secretary of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, “we are entering a regime crisis”. For Mathilde Panot of La France Insoumise (LFI), Macron does not respect “popular sovereignty” and the “choice resulting from the ballot box”. “The elections were stolen”, thunders Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of La France Insoumise.
The Rassemblement National (RN) will not immediately censure the appointed prime minister. “He seems to meet at least the first criterion that we asked for, that is, a man who respects the different political forces and who knows how to address the National Rally, which is the first group in the National Assembly, in the same way as other groups,” Marine Le Pen said on the LCI channel. “We are waiting to see what Mr. Barnier’s general policy speech will be and how he will reach the compromises that will be necessary on the next budget,” added the right-wing leader, who stressed: “We will demand that the new head of government respects the 11 million French people who voted for the Rassemblement National and that he respects their ideas.”
Michel Barnier is presented by the French press as a “man of consensus” and with “long political experience”. Barnier, 73, becomes the oldest prime minister of the Fifth Republic at the helm of Matignon, taking over from the youngest, 35-year-old Gabriel Attal, who was appointed eight months ago and resigned 51 days ago. The former European Commissioner is a leading member of the right-wing Gaullist party Les Républicains (LR), even if he has failed to build consensus within it. Barnier was defeated in the Les Républicains party primaries for the 2022 presidential election. He is also known for being a good mediator, to the point that his name has been circulated to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission in 2019. He was the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator when the United Kingdom left the continental bloc.
Previously, he was a minister in several right-wing governments in France in the 1990s and 2000s – under the presidency of Jacques Chrirac – in which he took on several portfolios including European Affairs, Environment, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs. He was twice a European Commissioner, responsible for regional policies and the financial framework (1999-2004), then responsible for the Internal Market and Services (2009-2014). More recently, this centrist Gaullist had toughened his discourse on immigration in France, advocating the idea of a “moratorium” and going so far as to question the European Court of Justice in the name of “legal sovereignty”.
#respect #voters #Tempo
2024-09-06 07:10:26
France in Crisis: Emmanuel Macron’s Coalition Government Under Fire
[Image: Emmanuel Macron’s appointee, Michel Barnier, amid protests and criticisms]
The recent legislative elections in France have led to a deep institutional crisis, with President Emmanuel Macron struggling to form a stable government. In a surprise move, Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister, tasked with forming a coalition government. However, the move has sparked outrage from left-wing political forces, who claim it’s a “regime crisis” and a disrespect to the democratic process.
A Crisis of Stability
The elections saw Macron’s party, La République En Marche (LREM), lose its majority in the National Assembly, forcing the President to seek support from other parties. Macron’s appointment of Barnier has raised concerns about the stability of the government, with many questioning the President’s ability to form a cohesive coalition.
Left-Wing Criticisms
The New Popular Front (NPF), a coalition of left-wing parties, has strongly criticized Macron’s move, claiming it’s an attempt to undermine the democratic process. Olivier Faure, secretary of the Socialist Party, has stated that France is entering a “regime crisis,” while Mathilde Panot of La France Insoumise (LFI) has accused Macron of not respecting ”popular sovereignty” and the “choice resulting from the ballot box.” Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, has gone as far as to claim that the elections were “stolen.”
Rassemblement National’s Conditional Support
The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) has announced that it will not immediately censure the appointed prime minister. Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, has stated that Barnier seems to meet the party’s criteria, but they will wait to see how he addresses their concerns in his policy speech and budget negotiations.
Michel Barnier: A Man of Consensus?
Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old politician with extensive experience, has been presented as a “man of consensus” by the French press. A leading member of the right-wing Gaullist party Les Républicains (LR), Barnier has a reputation for being a good mediator. Despite failing to build consensus within his own party, Barnier has been a minister in several right-wing governments and has held various portfolios, including European Affairs, Environment, Agriculture, and Foreign Affairs.
A Career Marked by Controversy
Barnier’s career has not been without controversy. He was defeated in the Les Républicains party primaries for the 2022 presidential election and was criticized for his handling of Brexit negotiations as the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator.
Challenges Ahead
The formation of a coalition government is just the beginning of Macron’s challenges. With the country facing economic and social unrest, the new government will need to address pressing issues such as pension reform, labor laws, and economic growth. The next few months will be crucial in determining the fate of Macron’s presidency and the stability of the French government.
Conclusion
The appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister has sparked a political crisis in France, with left-wing parties and the RN raising concerns about the government’s stability and democratic legitimacy. As Macron struggles to form a coalition government, the country remains in a state of uncertainty, with the outcome of this political drama far from certain.
Key Takeaways:
Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister to form a coalition government
The move has sparked outrage from left-wing parties, who claim it’s a “regime crisis”
The Rassemblement National has announced conditional support for Barnier
Barnier has a reputation as a “man of consensus” with extensive political experience
* The formation of a coalition government is just the beginning of Macron’s challenges, with the country facing economic and social unrest.
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