His recent decisions have only caused more uncertainty: the appointment as prime minister of several old figures such as Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, and then of Sébastien Lecornu, one of the last true loyalists, but with a big problem – he is still linked to Macron’s name, which has today become unacceptable to most of the political class and citizens.
President Emmanuel Macron is more alone than ever. The political crisis that began with the sudden dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9, 2024, seems to have found no solution and, on the contrary, has deepened the ‘division’ between the president and even his closest allies. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and one of Macron’s most loyal figures, openly expresses his bewilderment and disappointment. “I don’t understand anymore,” he says. Attal, now the leader of the presidential Renaissance party, represents an entire generation of politicians who believed in “Macronism” but are now on the verge of a heavy electoral defeat. The latest image that has circulated – Macron walking alone on the Ile de la Cité – is symbolic of the president’s current state: isolated in his country, while abroad he still retains some diplomatic influence. But within France, he is perceived as disconnected from reality and from the plight of the people.
His recent decisions have only caused more uncertainty: the appointment as prime minister of several old figures such as Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, and then of Sébastien Lecornu, one of the last true loyalists, but with a big problem – he is still associated with Macron’s name, which has today become unacceptable to most of the political class and citizens.
The latest addition to this list of names is Bruno Le Maire, the former Finance Minister for 7 consecutive years, suddenly returned from Lausanne, where he had started teaching. But it is precisely finance that is the most urgent problem in France today – a sector in crisis, and Le Maire’s return is seen as a provocation rather than a solution. The chaos continued with another political “theater”: Macron accepts Lecornu’s resignation, but then withdraws him again, asking him for a “last effort” to build a governing majority.
Meanwhile, the opposition is increasing the pressure: Marine Le Pen (far right) said that the farce must end. “This farce must end. Macron must either resign or dissolve the Assembly again. The French are tired,” she said. Jean-Luc Mélenchon (radical left): He mocks the cabinet as a “zombie court” and demands Macron’s immediate departure, preparing a motion for his dismissal to be debated on Wednesday. David Lisnard (Gaullist): Proposes that Macron consider a “planned resignation.” The Socialists, led by Olivier Faure, propose another path: a left-wing government without Mélenchon, but with ecologists and communists. But the survival of such a government seems impossible in the face of the numerous motions of no confidence that have been warned.
If Lecornu fails to form a majority within 48 hours – which he has failed to do for 27 days – then Macron, according to the Elysee, “will assume his responsibilities”. That means, perhaps, calling for new snap elections. But the risk of a partial victory by Le Pen’s party is real – and no other majority is in sight. France faces a dangerous political deadlock, which could last and deepen. And at the centre of this storm is a lone president, unsupported, incomprehensible even to his closest friends.
His recent decisions have only caused more uncertainty: the appointment as prime minister of several old figures such as Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, and then of Sébastien Lecornu, one of the last true loyalists, but with a big problem – he is still linked to Macron’s name, which has today become unacceptable to most of the political class and citizens.
President Emmanuel Macron is more alone than ever. The political crisis that began with the sudden dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9, 2024, seems to have found no solution and, on the contrary, has deepened the ‘division’ between the president and even his closest allies. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and one of Macron’s most loyal figures, openly expresses his bewilderment and disappointment. “I don’t understand anymore,” he says. Attal, now the leader of the presidential Renaissance party, represents an entire generation of politicians who believed in “Macronism” but are now on the verge of a heavy electoral defeat. The latest image that has circulated – Macron walking alone on the Ile de la Cité – is symbolic of the president’s current state: isolated in his country, while abroad he still retains some diplomatic influence. But within France, he is perceived as disconnected from reality and from the plight of the people.
His recent decisions have only caused more uncertainty: the appointment as prime minister of several old figures such as Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, and then of Sébastien Lecornu, one of the last true loyalists, but with a big problem – he is still associated with Macron’s name, which has today become unacceptable to most of the political class and citizens.
The latest addition to this list of names is Bruno Le Maire, the former Finance Minister for 7 consecutive years, suddenly returned from Lausanne, where he had started teaching. But it is precisely finance that is the most urgent problem in France today – a sector in crisis, and Le Maire’s return is seen as a provocation rather than a solution. The chaos continued with another political “theater”: Macron accepts Lecornu’s resignation, but then withdraws him again, asking him for a “last effort” to build a governing majority.
Meanwhile, the opposition is increasing the pressure: Marine Le Pen (far right) said that the farce must end. “This farce must end. Macron must either resign or dissolve the Assembly again. The French are tired,” she said. Jean-Luc Mélenchon (radical left): He mocks the cabinet as a “zombie court” and demands Macron’s immediate departure, preparing a motion for his dismissal to be debated on Wednesday. David Lisnard (Gaullist): Proposes that Macron consider a “planned resignation.” The Socialists, led by Olivier Faure, propose another path: a left-wing government without Mélenchon, but with ecologists and communists. But the survival of such a government seems impossible in the face of the numerous motions of no confidence that have been warned.
If Lecornu fails to form a majority within 48 hours – which he has failed to do for 27 days – then Macron, according to the Elysee, “will assume his responsibilities”. That means, perhaps, calling for new snap elections. But the risk of a partial victory by Le Pen’s party is real – and no other majority is in sight. France faces a dangerous political deadlock, which could last and deepen. And at the centre of this storm is a lone president, unsupported, incomprehensible even to his closest friends.