Why doesn’t France have a PM two months after polls? Whom is Macron considering?

Sept. 3, 2024, 2:58 p.m.

Read time estimation: 8 minutes.

  1

France still doesn’t have a new prime minister.

Almost two months after the nation conducted elections, France's President Emmanuel Macron has not yet appointed a prime minister.

Macron has recently met with two former presidents and has been actively considering three potential candidates for a specific role.

But why is France in this situation? And who are the latest contenders for the position?

Let’s take a closer look:

Why is France in this position?

France is without a functioning government following snap elections in July that resulted in a stalemate in parliament.

Advertisement Macron had taken many by surprise by calling early elections following the far-right National Rally (RN) triumphing over his centrist alliance in the EU polls.

The election, held two years after Macron lost his absolute control of parliament in 2022, saw voters grant the majority of seats to the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance - a broad coalition of left-leaning parties.

The results, which saw Macron’s own centrist Macron’s Together for the Republic alliance finish second, also kept the far-right National Rally out of power.

The left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NPF) had emerged as the largest single bloc in French elections, Reuters However, the polls also placed France in the unprecedented position – at least in contemporary history – of having no dominant political bloc in its parliament.

None of the three blocs even come close to holding a majority of 289 seats out of 577.

The NPF obtained 182 seats, Macron's Together for the Republic centrist coalition secured 168 seats, and the National Rally party garnered 143 seats.

The conservative Republicans (LR) gained 46 seats, while independent candidates secured 38 seats.

The National Assembly holds greater power than France's other legislative body, the Senate, which is largely controlled by conservatives. The Assembly has the final authority on lawmaking.

Macron has firmly declined to appoint NFP candidate Lucie Castet as prime minister.

According to NewsX, Macron has stated that a left-wing candidate would be unable to secure a vote of confidence in parliament.

Macron faces a challenging situation due to the fragmented lower house, necessitating collaboration among parties to reach agreements on government policies and legislation.

France's political landscape, characterized by deep divisions over taxation, immigration, and West Asia policy, makes this task particularly challenging.

According to Politico, while the NFP seeks to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% to finance public services, right-wing groups advocate for dismantling the welfare state.

Advertisement The election outcome suggests that Macron's centrist allies will likely face obstacles in implementing their pro-business proposals, such as a plan to reform unemployment benefits.

It could also make passing a budget more difficult.

Macron is facing mounting pressure, even from his own supporters, to make a decision.

"The situation demands a swift resolution," stated François Bayrou, leader of the Centrist Modem party, a Macron ally, as quoted by Politico over the weekend.

Macron is also facing a time crunch.

Politico reports that France's new government must submit a revised budget by October 1st.

Advertisement Which names are doing the rounds?

Multiple reports suggest that Macron, in his search for a prime minister, has focused on three candidates – Xavier Bertrand, Bernard Cazeneuve and Thierry Beaudet.

Xavier Bertrand, a member of the French conservative party Les Republicains (The Republicans - LR), arrived to attend an emergency meeting called by LR party leaders in Paris, France, on June 12, 2024. File Image/Reuters Bertrand is a leader of the conservative Les Républicains party and the head of the northern Hauts-de-France region.

As per NewsX, Bertrand, a former government minister, would be the choice of right-wing political parties.

According to The Guardian, Macron has discussed Bertrand's candidacy with several right-wing leaders, including Gérard Larcher, Laurent Wauquiez, and Bruno Retailleau.

Cazeneuve, 61 years old, served as prime minister from 2016 to 2017 under Socialist president François Hollande.

According to NewsX, Cazeneuve, a former Socialist leader, was the interior minister during the 2015 Paris attacks.

He is thought to be esteemed across political lines.

However, the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, a member of the NFP coalition, has rejected Cazeneuve's candidacy, labeling him a figure of the “old world.”

Bernard Cazeneuve served as prime minister under Socialist President François Hollande from 2016 to 2017. Reuters Cazeneuve’s team told Politico that he “says he’s not a candidate. If asked, he’ll do it, out of duty, but he won’t do it at any price.”

Beaudet serves as president of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) - an organization that provides advice to lawmakers on social and economic policies.

Connexion France reports that Macron contacted Beaudet, a former teacher, in late August.

Beaudet has no prior political experience and is a technocrat - ironically, this was a criticism leveled at Macron before he took office.

NewX indicates that Beaudet is largely unknown to the public.

Le Monde reports that Beaudet previously managed a group of non-profit health insurance organizations.

He has also collaborated with business leaders and labor unions, and leads the advisory body that facilitated two citizen conventions on climate change and assisted dying, initiated by Macron.

L’Opinion reported that Beaudet was presented with the job offer during a meeting on August 29.

Beaudet accepted the offer with one condition - that he be granted the authority to “guide the government towards a more left-leaning approach.”

However, the appointment is far from certain, as some members of Macron's own party have expressed reservations about Beaudet's candidacy.

Thierry Beaudet, president of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), is a technocrat largely unfamiliar to the French public. Reuters reported, “The idea was met with skepticism from the president’s parliamentary alliance,” according to an anonymous member of Macron’s Renaissance party, speaking to Politico.

“Waiting seven weeks to appoint a technocrat who will implement Macronist policies would be to disregard the election outcome,” a Renaissance official added. “It would not only deny the result, but even the fact that elections took place.

“He will be eaten up by the crocodiles.”

Macron also recently had meetings with former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande.

NewsX reports that it is customary for French presidents to consult with their predecessors during times of national crisis and seek their guidance.

Sarkozy has advocated for Bertrand as prime minister, arguing that the “center of gravity in French politics lies on the right.”

According to NewsX, under the French Constitution, Macron is not obligated to appoint a prime minister from the largest bloc.

However, he must ensure that the new government can withstand a vote of no confidence.

What about Macron?

Without a majority and limited ability to push through his own policies, Macron emerged from the election in a weakened position.

However, the president's term in office extends until 2027, and he firmly asserts that he will not resign.

France Unbowed has called for Macron's impeachment, citing “serious failures” in his constitutional duties, according to Le Monde.

However, the party doesn’t seem to have the votes for it.

According to France's Constitution, Macron retains control over foreign policy, European affairs, and defense, and is responsible for negotiating and approving international agreements.

The president, also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, retains control over the nation's nuclear arsenal.

The prime minister, accountable to parliament, leads the government and proposes new laws. The new prime minister may be unable or unwilling to significantly challenge Macron's authority in defense and foreign policy.

With inputs from agencies