Emmanuel Macron is holding talks with political leaders to form a new government, excluding La France insoumise and the National Rally. Key issues include establishing a non-censorship agreement and potential coalition dynamics. The Republicans want a leader from their party and a government contract aligned with their priorities. The Socialists seek collaboration under specific conditions, while the ecologists and Communists present varying prerequisites for participation. Macron’s camp is cautious, considering candidates mainly from his faction.
Emmanuel Macron’s Ongoing Consultations
President Emmanuel Macron is actively engaging in discussions with various political leaders as he seeks to form a new government. This Tuesday afternoon, he will meet with representatives from multiple political parties at the Élysée Palace, although leaders from La France insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN) will not be present. The objective of these consultations is to explore potential compromises regarding the government’s formation and to negotiate a non-censorship agreement. Macron’s team hopes to ‘advance on a method for cooperation,’ but they will encounter political factions with differing and often conflicting demands.
Political Dynamics and Coalition Challenges
The Republicans, who were part of the previous coalition, have decided against returning to opposition after the censure of Michel Barnier. Laurent Wauquiez, the leader of the Republican deputies, expressed a preference for appointing a leader from their party for the new government. He emphasized that any participation in the government hinges on establishing a ‘government contract’ that aligns with their priorities. Wauquiez reassured his members that the upcoming meeting will focus solely on discussing methods to achieve a non-censorship agreement rather than negotiating government participation or programs.
The Socialist Party is also evaluating its role in the coalition. Following the censure of the Barnier government, the Socialists are open to collaboration under specific conditions. They insist that any entry into the government must be led by a left-wing Prime Minister. Additionally, they are willing to negotiate on specific issues, particularly concerning pension reform, without demanding its outright repeal. The Socialists have pledged not to censure the government if it shifts its political direction to prioritize key issues such as purchasing power, tax justice, public services, housing, farmer support, security, and ecological transition.
Within the New Popular Front, differing perspectives on prerequisites for government participation are evident. The ecologists are advocating for a Prime Minister from their ranks, having created a set of eleven priority measures that must be met, including the repeal of pension reforms and enhanced tax justice. The Communist Party, while preferring a left-leaning Prime Minister, maintains that it is not a strict requirement. Fabien Roussel, the national secretary of the Communist Party, emphasized the importance of progress over rigid stipulations regarding names or proposals. He suggested the need for policy changes, including the introduction of a ‘social conference’ to address concerns related to pension reforms.
Meanwhile, the presidential camp remains cautious during these negotiations. Gabriel Attal, the leader of the Renaissance deputies, is advocating for a non-censorship agreement with the Socialists to minimize reliance on the National Rally. Some, like the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, are calling for an expanded coalition base that includes Socialists. Edouard Philippe, leader of the Horizons party, reiterated his stance that a Prime Minister should emerge from a coalition spanning from the right to ‘social democrats.’
Lastly, the Liot group has expressed willingness to accept a non-censorship pact, contingent upon Macron’s agreement to a non-dissolution pact. As of now, Macron has neither rejected nor approved any of the left’s programmatic demands. However, discussions around potential Prime Minister candidates predominantly feature individuals from his camp, including former Republicans like Sébastien Lecornu and Catherine Vautrin, as well as prominent centrists like François Bayrou.