Emmanuel Macron assured the French during a speech on Thursday that he will fulfill his mandate “fully, until the end”, as a growing number of political leaders call for or discuss his resignation.
“The mandate that you have democratically entrusted to me is five years and I will exercise it fully until the end,” declared the President of the Republic, the day after the overthrow of Michel Barnier’s government by the National Assembly.
The departure of the head of state is desired by 59% to 61% of French people, according to Odoxa and Elabe polls published on thursday. The Insoumis camp also continues to call upon him, hoping that this prophecy will come true.
“It wasn’t Michel Barnier who was censored (…) it was Mr. Macron who was censored,” Jean-Luc Mélenchon said on TF1 news. “He is the one who makes the mess,blocks everything and doesn’t want to hear from anyone,” he said,assuring that the head of state would end up leaving “due to the force of events”.
Mélenchon candidate?
If the procedure for the removal of the head of state, destined to fail, failed in October in the Assembly before even reaching the vote in the chamber, it brought the issue to the fore in the debates.and since then, the mayor of Cannes LR David Lisnard, the mayor of Meaux Jean-François Copé (LR) or even the figure of the Liot group in the Assembly, Charles de Courson, have spoken about the president’s resignation.
The Insoumi do not hide it: they are preparing to leave peacefully in the event of early presidential elections. Behind a candidate who would, of course, be Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “We don’t want to waste seven of the 30 days we would have available to prepare for the presidential elections discussing Olivier Faure’s candidacy”,within the unitary framework of the PFN,quips a rebel leader. For them it would be the consecration of “them against us”, the long-awaited confrontation with the far right.
And it would be a shame if Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s popularity rating was low and if the polls showed him as the loser in the second round of the presidential elections against Marine Le Pen. “Mélenchon is the permanent campaign,” smiles MP Paul Vannier, leader of the radical left movement. An idea theorized for some time by the patriarch of the radical left,who wants the elections to be prepared well in advance of the official periods.
LFI is getting ready
Before the censure of Michel Barnier, the rebels had already sent a letter to Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, to question him on the modalities of a possible early election. And with that in mind, they don’t overlook any aspect.
Traditionally, the LFI, which has very few locally elected officials, always takes some time to collect the 500 signatures needed to run for president. “For us it is a point of vigilance,” recognizes party coordinator manuel Bompard. “We started the work by identifying the mayors who signed last time,” he adds.
For them, an early election would have the advantage of pulling the ground from under the feet of other left-wing parties which for the moment have no incarnation or political orientation in view of the presidential elections.“There are only two parties ready: RN and LFI,” said an LR MP.
An early election would also allow Jean-Luc Mélenchon, 73, not to wait for the 2027 deadline. “I think he is sincerely asking the question for 2027,” estimates a socialist elephant who knew the former PS senator well.“desire matters a lot.He still has it but he’s not sure he’ll still have it” in three years, he estimates.
What are the main challenges facing President Macron in his current term?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon and welcome to this special segment where we delve into the current political landscape in France. Joining us today is Dr. Lila Fontaine, a political analyst and expert on French politics. welcome, Dr. Fontaine!
Dr. Lila Fontaine: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Recently, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, affirming his commitment to serve his full five-year mandate despite increasing calls for his resignation. how meaningful is this statement given the current political turmoil?
Dr. Fontaine: It’s quite significant. Macron’s assertion is not just about personal resolve; it serves as a signal to both his supporters and detractors that he intends to remain firm in his position. In tumultuous times, such affirmations of stability can be crucial for maintaining public confidence, even if public opinion is swinging against him.
Editor: Speaking of public opinion, polls suggest that between 59% and 61% of French citizens desire Macron’s departure. What does this overwhelming sentiment indicate about the current political climate?
Dr. Fontaine: These numbers reflect a profound discontent within the electorate. It’s a warning signal for Macron, highlighting that many feel unsatisfied with his leadership. When such a significant portion of the population wants change, it typically implies that significant issues exist, whether they pertain to economic difficulties, social policies, or governance style.
Editor: Right.And the context of Michel barnier’s government being overthrown by the National Assembly is also crucial. How does this event impact Macron’s standing?
Dr. Fontaine: The overthrow of Barnier’s government represents a considerable crack in the foundation of Macron’s authority.When a government that is part of the ruling party is censured, it raises questions about Macron’s ability to lead effectively. Some might interpret this as a loss of confidence not only in Barnier but, much more critically, in Macron himself. The political narrative is shifting, and his opponents are seizing this as an opportunity to intensify calls for his resignation.
Editor: We saw figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon explicitly stating that it wasn’t Barnier who was censored but macron. How do you view this kind of political rhetoric?
Dr. Fontaine: Mélenchon’s statement is emblematic of a broader strategy used by opposition parties to directly challenge the incumbent’s legitimacy. By framing it as a failure of Macron, they aim to reposition themselves as the party of the people, capitalizing on the dissatisfaction. This rhetoric can effectively galvanize support, uniting voters around a common goal—removing macron from power.
Editor: Given all this, what do you think the future holds for Macron’s presidency?
Dr. Fontaine: It’s difficult to predict precisely, but if Macron wishes to weather this storm, he will need to quickly address the public’s grievances. Transparency, responsiveness, and perhaps a reassessment of his policy agenda could be crucial. if he fails to do so, he risks entering a precarious phase of his presidency, where political instability could further unravel his government’s objectives.
Editor: Thank you, dr. Fontaine, for your insightful analysis. It seems that the next few months will be critical for Macron and French politics as a whole.
Dr. Fontaine: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. It’s going to be an intriguing time to watch how these developments unfold.
Editor: And thank you,everyone,for tuning in. Stay updated with us at Time.news for further developments on this evolving story.