Macron exhibited a strong message in his message to the French. /
The president calls on the opposition to negotiate specific agreements that allow the approval of the reforms that “France needs”
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ruled out the idea of forming a government of national unity, as some politicians and analysts had proposed to solve the political paralysis that the country could experience after last Sunday’s legislative elections. The proposal had also been rejected by most of the opposition groups with which the president has met after the elections.
“The hypothesis of a government of national union is not justified today,” said Macron, who sees two possible ways out of the current configuration of the National Assembly, where he has lost the absolute majority. He advocates a coalition or specific agreements, case by case, with other parties to pass laws and make the reforms that “France needs.”
Macron addressed the nation in a television speech three days after the second round of parliamentarians. He acknowledged that there are “fractures” and “deep divisions” in France that “are reflected in the composition” of the new lower house. The Macronist bloc only has a relative majority against a radical left and an extreme right that are stronger than ever.
The electoral results have been a political earthquake in a very presidential country and little used to the government party having to agree with other formations. For this reason, Macron has been forced to probe other forces. On Tuesday and this Wednesday he received the heads of the parliamentary groups at the Elysée Palace. With these meetings, he is looking for a formula to avoid the parliamentary deadlock.
Given the political uncertainty that reigns and the doubts of many about whether France is still governable, the president needed to address the nation before the international marathon that awaits him in the coming days: the European Council, the G7 and the NATO summit in Madrid. In his televised message, he expressed the need to “learn to govern and legislate differently.” For this, the president sent the ball to the roof of the opposition, which he urged to say “with all transparency how far they are willing to go” to “reach commitments.”
Upon his return from Brussels, Macron already wants to get down to work to start “building new methods and configurations.” “Compatriots, I have confidence in you. My only compass is the general interest. All together we will find the path of collective success », he pointed out.
good for democracy
Seven out of ten French people (71%) agree that the government party does not have an absolute majority because they consider it good for democracy and debate, according to an Elabe survey for BFMTV and the magazine ‘L’Express’. As a formula that avoids the parliamentary blockade, 44% of those surveyed are committed to a case-by-case negotiation with one or several opposition parties based on the bills, while 19% would welcome a unity government national.
Four out of ten citizens (43%) consider that Regrouping National, Marine Le Pen’s party, better embodies opposition to Macron than Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s union of leftist parties (Nupes) (31%). In addition, 24% want the president to negotiate primarily with the left, 21% with the extreme right and 20% with the Republicans (moderate right).
Le Pen gathers its 89 deputies in the National Assembly
This Wednesday’s day also had other protagonists in addition to Emmanuel Macron. The 89 deputies obtained by National Regrouping in the appointment with the polls last Sunday gathered on the steps of the National Assembly to take the traditional family photograph. Never has the extreme right had so many representatives in the lower house of the Gallic Parliament as it does now. In the 2017 legislative elections they won only eight seats. An “excited and proud” Marine Le Pen received the candidates who won seats in their respective constituencies. “Our sole objective is to defend France and the French,” said the leader, who promised that her formation will make “a firm but constructive opposition.”