Pliable French PM Ready to Preserve Macron’s Legislative Legacy, Says Reuters

By Elizabeth Pineau and Leigh Thomas

PARIS – Nearly three months after triggering a political crisis in France by calling a snap election, President Emmanuel Macron is facing challenges in appointing a new prime minister who can withstand immediate opposition and sustain his pro-business agenda.

The election resulted in a hung parliament, compelling Macron to select a prime minister capable of appeasing three roughly equal political factions: the left, the far right, and his own centrist party, all of which show little willingness to compromise.

For weeks, Macron has engaged in discussions with leaders across the political spectrum to identify a suitable prime minister but has made little progress. The outcome of the election has significantly weakened his position, forcing him to consider compromising on his contentious pension reform, which is unpopular on the left, or conceding to conservatives who demand no tax increases.

"The president is taking his time because he doesn’t want a prime minister who will jeopardize his economic legacy. Tax hikes and retirement reform are his red lines," remarked Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte.

Rivals are hesitant to appear accommodating to Macron, who remains unpopular among both the left and right.

Macron’s situation deteriorated further after Edouard Philippe, his former prime minister and a popular figure, announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, exploiting the current political uncertainty.

While Macron is unlikely to heed calls from the left to resign, Philippe’s announcement, along with the difficulties facing the president, raises doubts about whether Macron will complete his second and final term. Delaporte characterized Philippe’s announcement as a "stab in the president’s back," while Conservative Senator Bruno Retailleau suggested that the Macron era may be nearing its end.

WEEKS OF TALKS

Sources close to Macron stated that after extensive consultations, he has narrowed down potential candidates for the prime minister position to former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and former Labor Minister Xavier Bertrand, a conservative regional leader.

It remains unclear whether either candidate could secure sufficient parliamentary support to form a government or if they would face immediate no-confidence votes, potentially throwing Macron’s administration into disarray.

Senator Laure Darcos, an ally of Bertrand, expressed that he would not attempt to dismantle Macron’s 2023 pension reform, which has recently faced widespread protests and was passed without parliamentary approval. Meanwhile, the left and far right are determined to overturn it, and even Macron’s centrist ally, François Bayrou, suggested the president should consider modifications to soften its impact.

As Macron continues his search for a prime minister, the public finances are rapidly deteriorating. Outgoing Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has warned that tens of billions of euros in budget cuts are required to address the budget shortfall. However, left-wing lawmakers are advocating for broad tax increases, a move that is deeply unappealing to Macron, who has reduced taxes on businesses and households by more than €50 billion since taking office in 2017.

Conservative lawmaker Véronique Louwagie stated that her party would not support a prime minister willing to either raise taxes or let public finances spiral out of control.

The individual Macron ultimately selects will face significant challenges, with time dwindling to prepare the budget legislation for 2025. Failure to satisfy the other parties may trigger a separate vote of no confidence, and if that occurs, "I don’t see any other solution than Macron’s resignation," warned left-wing lawmaker Éric Coquerel. "When things are blocked, something’s got to give."