Macron races to choose new PM to address crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron raced to meet a self-imposed 48-hour deadline to name a new prime minister on Wednesday, following the resignation of Michel Barnier's government last week.

This promise came after a three-hour meeting at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, with leaders from several major political parties, excluding the hard-left France Unbowed party, or LFI, and the far-right National Rally, or RN. Macron's goal is to address the ongoing political crisis and stabilize governance.

At the meeting, Macron proposed three frameworks for collaboration: a "government pact" for parties willing to join his cabinet, a "legislative pact" to ensure parliamentary support for key laws, and a "non-censure pact" where opposition parties agree not to censure the government. The move is seen as an attempt to navigate a fragmented political landscape.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the conservative The Republicans party, or LR, acknowledged the importance of stability during the talks but rejected partnerships with the hard-left LFI or the New Popular Front, or NFP.

The French Socialist Party, or PS, the Greens, and the conservatives presented different demands for the new government, highlighting the divisions Macron must address to secure a working coalition.

Meanwhile, RN leader Marine Le Pen advocated for future leaders to engage with all political blocs, including her party. "The prime minister must obviously talk to the RN," Le Pen stated on France 2 TV on Tuesday.

Challenges ahead

Whoever Macron appoints as the next prime minister will face significant challenges, including resolving sharp political divisions and preventing further governmental instability.

Many parties have rejected the idea of a unity government outright. "It's unrealistic to form a government with parties holding fundamentally opposing views," said Wauquiez of the LR party.

A potential solution lies in a non-censure agreement, which could help maintain stability without formal coalitions. Under such an agreement, the government would refrain from using Article 49.3, which allows the government to force the passage of a law without a vote, while opposition parties would agree not to censure the administration.

However, some parties remain skeptical about Macron's ability to deliver a meaningful compromise. "The president's strategy is unclear, and there are no guarantees this approach will succeed," Olivier Faure, leader of the PS, remarked after Tuesday's meeting.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.