The former Prime Minister (1997-2002), although favorable to the unitary approach of the left, supported Lamia El Aaraje, socialist candidate not retained in the agreement of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes), during the legislative election campaign in Paris. A pas de deux which illustrates his analysis of this unprecedented political crisis and the conditions for the viability of the union of the left.
What is your view on these legislative elections?
The French created the surprise. For the first time since the adoption of the five-year term, they did not give the elected president an absolute majority in the National Assembly. This proves in passing that, contrary to what has been repeated for years, the legislative election placed in the wake of the presidential election is not destined to be a simple ratification ballot.
This latest election is a game-changer. The outgoing president underestimated the rejection of his policy. He neglected the legislative campaign and, by focusing it on the refusal of those he called the extremes, he valorized them. The vacuum of the presidential party did the rest. The government now only has a relative majority.
Will it then be possible to govern?
France must be governed. The French expect it and the interest of the country demands it. All the institutional and political players will therefore have to adjust to this new situation: the government, its – relative – majority, the opposition parties… and the president.
Has Emmanuel Macron started this adjustment? What did you think of his intervention, Wednesday, June 22, which gave the opposition an ultimatum to position themselves? Is it a political fault?
Let’s say that the injunction does not go very well with the spirit of dialogue. The president must admit that on June 19 [second tour des législatives] part of the power, that which affects the development of the law, has slipped from the Elysée to the Palais-Bourbon. He must also admit that he will no longer fix all the rhythms of time.
But what then becomes of Jupiter?
Emmanuel Macron told us that he would also be Vulcan, the blacksmith. But, if it is a question of forging parliamentary compromises, this role is better suited to the government, whose ministers come before the Assemblies every week, rather than to the president, who, by tradition, does not go there. The paradox of Emmanuel Macron is that, not re-eligible, he becomes freer in a more constrained situation. He is intelligent, skilful, but very sure of himself. It is up to him to choose what he hopes to do with his second term.
You have 77.14% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.