President calls on opposition to negotiate specific agreements allowing adoption of reforms “France needs”
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ruled out the idea of forming a national unity government, as some politicians and analysts had proposed to solve the political paralysis the country could experience after last Sunday’s parliamentary elections. The proposal was also rejected by most opposition groups the president met after the election.
“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 an absolute majority. He calls for a coalition or specific agreements, on a case-by-case basis, with other parties to enact laws and implement the reforms “France needs”.
Macron addressed the nation in a televised speech three days after the second round of parliamentarians. He acknowledged that in France there are “fractures” and “deep divisions” that are “reflected in the composition” of the new lower house. The macronist bloc has only a relative majority against the radical left and far right that are stronger than ever.
The election result was a political earthquake in a very presidential country and was not used to the ruling party having to agree with other formations. For this reason, Macron has been forced to investigate other forces. On Tuesday and this Wednesday, he received the heads of the political groups in the Elysée. With these meetings, he is looking for a formula to circumvent the parliamentary blockade.
Given the political uncertainty that prevails and the doubts of many as to whether France is still governable, the president has had to address the nation ahead of the international marathon that awaits him in the coming days: the European Council, the G7 and the NATO summit in Madrid. In his television 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, who he urged to say “with all transparency how far they are willing to go” to “keep commitments”.
On his return from Brussels, Macron already wants to get to work “building new methods and configurations”. ‘Comrades, I have faith in you. My only compass is the common good. Together we will find the way to collective success,” he said.
Seven in ten French (71%) agree that the ruling party does not have an absolute majority because they think it is good for democracy and debate, according to a survey by Elabe for BFMTV and the magazine ‘L’Express’. As a formula that avoids the parliamentary blockade, 44% of those polled are committed to negotiating with one or more opposition parties on a case-by-case basis on the basis of the bills, while 19% would welcome a unity government citizen.
Four in ten citizens (43%) believe that Regrouping National, Marine Le Pen’s party, embodies the opposition to Macron better than Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-wing union (Nupes) (31%). In addition, 24% want the president to negotiate primarily with the left, 21% with the far right and 20% with the Republicans (moderate right).
The day of this Wednesday had other protagonists in addition to Emmanuel Macron. The 89 deputies obtained by the National Regroup during the poll meeting last Sunday gathered on the steps of the National Assembly to take the traditional family photo. Never has the far right had so many representatives in the lower house of the Gallic parliament as now. In the 2017 parliamentary elections, they won just eight seats. An “excited and proud” Marine Le Pen received the candidates who won seats in their respective constituencies. “Our sole aim is to defend France and the French,” said the leader, who promised her formation will provide “firm but constructive opposition”.
Source: La Verdad
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