Macron Faces Political Deadlock: Meetings with Party Leaders as France Awaits New Prime Minister

As France braces for the announcement of its next prime minister — the sixth in President Emmanuel Macron’s second term — the president has taken the unusual step of meeting personally with party leaders in a last-ditch effort to resolve a growing political stalemate. The deadlock primarily concerns the 2026 budget and targeted public spending cuts, essential for controlling the projected deficit. Some analysts speculate that Macron may reappoint Sébastien Lecornu, the outgoing prime minister, though this move risks inflaming opposition tensions.

According to official invitations reported by Le Monde, Macron’s meetings, scheduled for 2:30 PM local time (3:30 PM Athens time), will include leaders from most major parties — including Gabriel Attal (Renaissance), Edouard Philippe (Horizons), Bruno Retailleau (Les Républicains), and representatives from the Socialist, Communist, Ecologist, Radical Left, and centrist parties. Notably, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Unbowed France have been excluded, as both parties continue to refuse compromise and advocate for new elections.

Despite mounting speculation, no official name for the new prime minister has been disclosed. President Macron promised to finalize the appointment by “Friday evening” following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu on Monday, a process extended by two days in an attempt to secure political agreement.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Jean-Louis Borloo, former long-serving mayor of Valenciennes, has been dismissed; Borloo confirmed from Toulouse that he had no contact with the Élysée Palace and emphasized that the country needs a government capable of defining a clear path forward.

The political deadlock has drawn concern from François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Bank of France, who expressed frustration over ongoing chaos. “I am like all French citizens — I love our country and I am genuinely tired of this political chaos,” he told RTL radio. “It is time for compromises — this is not an offensive word — and for forming coalitions.”

Villeroy de Galhau highlighted the urgency of finalizing the 2026 budget, which must be presented by Monday to meet the December 31 approval deadline. With France facing a projected public deficit of 5.4% of GDP in 2025, he stressed that the bulk of deficit reduction efforts should focus on public expenditure control, with tax measures serving as supplemental tools to achieve fiscal justice. The goal is to reduce the deficit by at least 0.6 percentage points in 2026, aiming for a maximum of 3% by 2029, in line with European Commission requirements. Villeroy de Galhau suggested that keeping the deficit below 4.8% of GDP in 2026 would be desirable, slightly more stringent than Lecornu’s projection of under 5%.

As France navigates this critical political juncture, all eyes are on Macron’s negotiations. The president must balance fiscal discipline, party interests, and growing public frustration, while avoiding a governance vacuum that could destabilize the French economy and influence broader European fiscal dynamics.

Source: pagenews.gr