French President Emmanuel Macron has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government, marking a significant shift in France’s political landscape. However, in an unprecedented move, Macron has asked Attal and his cabinet to remain in office as a caretaker government, likely until after the Paris Olympics, which run from July 26 to August 11.This decision comes in the wake of recent legislative elections that resulted in a fragmented parliament, with no party securing an overall majority. The left-wing alliance, known as the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), won the most seats with around 190 MPs, while Macron’s Ensemble coalition came second with approximately 160 seats. The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) secured about 140 seats.The caretaker government will have limited powers, focusing on managing ‘current affairs’ and ensuring state continuity. They will not be able to introduce new policies or laws but will retain the ability to respond to emergencies. This arrangement aims to provide political stability during the Olympics and give parties more time to build a governing coalition.Macron has called on his allies to propose either a majority coalition or a wide-ranging legislative pact to preserve his government’s economic achievements while addressing social justice issues. Meanwhile, the NFP is grappling with internal conflicts, struggling to agree on a consensus candidate for prime minister.This political impasse has raised questions about France’s ability to form a functional government and address pressing challenges. As the country enters this period of ‘caretaker government’, all eyes will be on the political maneuvering in the coming weeks, with potential implications extending beyond the Olympic Games.
Key points
- President Macron has accepted PM Attal’s resignation but asked the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity.
- The caretaker government will have limited powers, focusing on managing current affairs until after the Paris Olympics.
- France faces a political deadlock with no clear majority in parliament, challenging the formation of a new government.
- Macron has called for a broad coalition or legislative pact to address the political impasse.
Contradictions👾Some sources indicate that Macron initially rejected Attal’s resignation, while others suggest he accepted it immediately.
This discrepancy might be due to the evolving nature of the situation over time.
