Macron urged to quit to end France political crisis

Macron gave Lecornu until Wednesday evening to thrash out a compromise for a sustainable coalition government but it is far from certain these efforts can succeed.

If this fails, one option is for Macron to dissolve parliament and hold snap legislative elections in the hope of having a more workable make-up in the legislature.

Macron on Tuesday evening held talks with the speakers of both the upper and lower houses of parliament, said an aide, asking not to be named. 

The purpose of the separate meetings was not made clear but the president is obliged to consult both speakers if new elections are planned.

After already going through three prime ministers within the space of a year, exasperation is growing with Macron, including within his own camp.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Macron's premier from 2017 to 2020, said presidential polls should be held early once a budget is passed, in comments Le Parisien daily described as a "political bomb".

The next presidential elections, where the far right under Marine Le Pen scents its best ever chance of winning power, are due in 2027 with Macron barred from running and Philippe already declared as a candidate.

Denouncing a "distressing political game", Philippe said it was up to Macron to help France "emerge in an orderly and dignified manner from a political crisis that is harming the country".

"He must take the decision that is worthy of his function, which is to guarantee the continuity of the institutions by leaving in an orderly manner," Philippe told the broadcaster RTL.

The other option for Macron is to appoint an entirely new prime minister who would be the eighth head of government of his mandate.

- 'No longer understand' -

France has been locked in a political crisis since Macron's gamble to hold legislative elections in the summer of 2024 backfired, resulting in a hung parliament and strengthened far right.

In a scathing editorial, the daily Le Monde said the crisis was "yet another demonstration of the unravelling" of Macron's second term since he won the 2022 presidential election.

The domestic isolation of Macron, who was filmed Monday walking alone by the banks of the Seine deep in a telephone conversation, contrasts with his visibility on the international stage, where he is seeking to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine alongside President Donald Trump.

Gabriel Attal, whose brief tenure as France's youngest-ever premier was ended by Macron's decision to hold the 2024 snap elections, on Monday evening said: "I no longer understand the president's decisions."

After a succession of new premiers, it was "time to try something else", Attal, who now leads the main pro-Macron party, told the broadcaster TF1, denouncing Macron's "determination to keep control".

Attal on Tuesday, however, told his lawmakers that he did not want Macron to resign, according to a participant at the meeting, who asked not to be named.

- 'Umpteenth negotiations' -

Lecornu said he would be meeting all political forces from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning in an attempt to break the impasse.

The next premier will face the challenge of finding enough support for a cost-cutting budget at a time when France's public debt has reached a record high.

Le Pen, whose candidacy in the presidential elections is in severe doubt due to a fraud conviction, said it would be "wise" for Macron to resign but also urged snap legislative polls as "absolutely necessary".

Le Pen and her 30-year-old lieutenant Jordan Bardella, who is expected to stand for the presidency if she is barred, turned down Lecornu's invitation for talks, their National Rally party said.

"These umpteenth negotiations no longer aim to protect the interests of the French people, but those of the president himself," the party added.

But Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure said his party would attend talks with Lecornu, adding that the next premier should come from the left.

burs-ah-sjw/as/rlp