Displaying items by tag: Emmanuel Macron

Prime minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a historic no-confidence vote, leading to the collapse of his government. The motion follows his controversial use of special powers to pass a budget without parliamentary approval. The budget, which aimed to reduce the deficit by €60 billion, faced criticism from both the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and far-right National Rally (RN); Marine Le Pen, RN leader, called it ‘toxic for the French’. This has plunged France into deeper political instability; no new parliamentary elections can be held until July, so the current deadlock in the Assembly - where no group has a working majority - is set to continue. Barnier, appointed by Emmanuel Macron just three months ago, has presented his government’s resignation, but will continue for now in a caretaker capacity. Macron’s presidency remains intact, but pressure on him is mounting.

The French left is facing internal divisions once again, this time sparked by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's call to impeach President Emmanuel Macron. Mélenchon and his allies in the France Unbowed movement are pressuring Macron to appoint Lucie Castets as prime minister, threatening impeachment if he refuses. This has highlighted the fragility of the New Popular Front alliance, which includes Socialists, Greens, and Communists, and undermines the unity they displayed in recent snap elections. While the impeachment threat is unlikely to succeed (it requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament), it has exposed significant fractures within the left-wing coalition. All the other parties, including Castets’ supporters, were quick to distance themselves from the idea. This discord is seen as advantageous for Macron's camp, as it weakens the opposition.

Emmanuel Macron has urged France's mainstream political forces to form a coalition after the elections resulted in a hung parliament. The New Popular Front, which emerged as the largest bloc with around 190 seats, have demanded that Macron accept their pick for prime minister and allow them to form a government. They insist that respecting the election results is essential for democracy. Any new government - of the left, centre, or a broader coalition - could quickly fall victim to a no-confidence vote from the opposition if it has not secured sufficient support. One commentator has said that it will have to seek to pass laws on a case by case basis, with ad hoc agreements. For more details about how Marine le Pen’s dreams have unravelled - her party unexpectedly came third in the elections - see

Opponents of Marine le Pen’s far-right party National Rally (RN) have intensified efforts to block it from power, with over 200 candidates withdrawing from run-off elections to avoid splitting the anti-RN vote. RN led the first-round vote; the radical left-wing LFI was second, and Macron's centrist group third. Polls give RN between 250 and 300 seats: they need 289 for an outright majority. Macron has said that the top priority is blocking the RN, even if that meant endorsing an LFI candidate, but it was uncertain whether voters would follow that route. Le Pen stated RN would not form a government without a workable majority, hinting at alliances with other parties if needed. The RN would cut funding to the EU, and its anti-migrant policies have been criticised by human rights groups. There are fears that a hung parliament would lead to policy paralysis for the remaining three years of Macron's presidency.

France's political future is uncertain as Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) leads opinion polls ahead of parliamentary elections on 30 June. Emmanuel Macron faces potential ‘cohabitation’ with an opposing prime minister, or a fragmented chamber unable to form a stable majority. The polls give RN at least 35% in the first round, with a left alliance at 29% and Macron's centrists around 20%. A high turnout is expected. RN could possibly win more than half the 577 seats being contested. Le Pen is already planning to challenge Macron's authority, especially regarding military decisions: her candidate for prime minister, Jordan Bardella, opposes sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. Current prime minister Gabriel Attal is seeking to highlight RN's divisiveness and the left’s sectarian policies. A final debate offers a last chance to sway voters.

Emmanuel Macron has said he intends to win the snap legislative election he called after his allies' significant defeat to Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) in the European Parliament elections. He has dismissed claims that dissolving parliament was reckless, potentially empowering the far right and hindering his domestic policy agenda. He stated that his decision was in France's best interests, and urged citizens to vote. The RN secured about 32% of the vote, compared to the 15% garnered by Macron's allies (almost the same percentage as the Socialists). However, he expressed confidence that a national election would be very different, pointing out that politics is dynamic and opinion polls are unreliable. He stated that the president's role is crucial for the republic, institutions,and Europe, and his position is secure regardless of the election outcome - even though the RN would probably call for his resignation if it won.

During his visit to Brazil, Emmanuel Macron has called the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal ‘very bad’. He called for a new agreement prioritising climate, biodiversity, and development. While Brazil is eager to sign, France, concerned about its farmers and environmental standards, has reservations. Brazilian officials remain hopeful, emphasising President Lula's commitment to strengthening ties with the EU. Macron also urged increased Brazilian investment in France and proposed collaboration in African markets. He plans to push for international standards promoting decarbonisation and environmental preservation at upcoming summits. His remarks reflect broader debates about balancing economic interests with environmental responsibilities.

On 16 January Emmanuel Macron made a notable shift to the political right during a televised press conference, signalling a change in his political stance. One week earlier, he had appointed Gabriel Attal as the youngest prime minister in French history, leading a noticeably more right-wing cabinet. The move appears to be a response to the growing challenge posed by the hard-right nationalists led by Marine Le Pen's, who are tipped to win the European elections in June. Macron emphasised the importance of instilling French republican values in schoolchildren. He proposed measures like school uniforms, learning the national anthem, civic service for 16-year-olds, and cracking down on drug gangs. He also announced policies to combat the declining birth rate, including improved access to fertility treatments and enhanced parental leave. The press conference format allowed Macron to delve into details, but it also risked portraying him as hiding a lack of substance behind torrents of words. Marine Le Pen dismissed the event as ‘yet another interminable jabber’.

The sixth Paris Peace Forum, on 10 and 11 November, will focus on four different topics. Emmanuel Macron, along with Barbadian PM Mia Mottley and several African leaders, will assess the progress of the ‘Paris Pact for People and the Planet’, launched in June, which aims to provide substantial funding to combat poverty and climate change, in preparation for December’s COP28 in Dubai. An appeal will be launched to address the ‘collapse’ of ‘all ice surfaces on a global scale.’States affected by glacier loss, such as Nepal and Kyrgyzstan, will participate, as will China and India. Although Russia, a major Arctic actor, will not participate due to the conflict in Ukraine, the Elysée asserts that this will not be an obstacle to cooperation between other countries. Macron will also preside over the fifth Christchurch Call Summit, launched with New Zealand after the terrorist attack in Christchurch in 2019, aiming to enhance efforts to ‘combat terrorist and violent extremist content online’. Another top priority for Macron is to regulate digital platforms and artificial intelligence.

French president Emmanuel Macron has announced the withdrawal of French troops from Niger and the repatriation of the French ambassador, following a military coup in the country. He stated that France would end its military cooperation with the de facto authorities in Niger, citing their lack of commitment to fighting terrorism. The decision comes after weeks of tensions with the junta and a deteriorating situation. Macron specified that the soldiers stationed in Niger would return to France in an orderly manner over the coming weeks and months, with the goal of completing the withdrawal by the end of the year. The announcement was met with joy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, as thousands of people rallied in support. Macron's decisions were made in coordination with Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum, who remains under house arrest, and leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).