Political uncertainty in France as Macron party slumps
France’s centrist government is desperately trying to avoid political paralysis after it lost its majority in the National Assembly.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has spoken of an unprecedented situation and commentators have warned of France becoming ungovernable. President Emmanuel Macron’s team now face two powerful opposition groups.
And neither Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-green alliance nor Marine Le Pen’s far-right are keen to work with him.
Macron will also have to replace three ministers who lost their seats in Sunday’s vote, and the prime minister’s future looks increasingly under threat.
The president’s allies came out in force after Sunday’s election setback, widely described by commentators as a slap in the face from voters.
The aim is to find a “working majority”, either a coalition or by forging alliances with other MPs on a case-by-case basis.
“We are going to form a majority very quickly so it becomes absolute in the National Assembly,” promised Olivier Véran, the minister in charge of parliamentary relations. Government spokeswoman Olivia Grégoire extended a hand to “all those who want us to move the country forward”.
