France is the middle of a great political crisis. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe already has called for President Emmanuel Macron to step down. This incredible declaration comes in response to increasing anger at Macron’s move to call for early legislative elections for summer 2024. This gamble pays the extreme right off, but it has backfired with a hung parliament. Philippe, Macron’s longest-serving prime minister (2017-2020), currently heads an allied political party. He underlines the imperative for escape, for Macron to aid France avoid the storms gathering on the horizon in this particularly volatile time.
The crisis deepened after last week’s news that Macron was losing support even among his own party’s caucus. New Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned on Monday morning. He failed to rally the required support from the outgoing centre-right coalition to protect his new government. Philippe’s remarks have intensified the scrutiny of Macron’s leadership, as the president finds himself increasingly isolated domestically despite retaining significant international influence.
Political Landscape Shifts
Macron, 39, has become the history’s youngest-ever prime minister of France. Unprecedented challenges now await him, given his constitutional incapacity to stand for a third mandate. The politics have changed completely. The far-right, spearheaded by Marine Le Pen, are hugely motivated to jump on the opportunity offered by the present landscape of uncertainty. The next presidential elections, now scheduled for 2027, are already seen as a moment of fateful rupture in French politics.
Philippe stated, “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.” This tentative indictment was enough for him to call for resignation, underscoring the severity of these allegations. France is under pressure from record high public debt and will very soon need a viable austerity budget.
It was important for the National Rally party to deeply oppose Macron’s negotiations. They claim these negotiations no longer serve the French people, but rather to further the president’s own agenda. This feeling speaks to the deeper frustration felt by their constituents about the failures of this administration’s governance.
The Deterioration of Macron’s Leadership
Bewilderment Attal, who had been educational minister and briefly prime minister before Lecornu, laid bare how extraordinary today’s situation is. “I no longer understand Emmanuel Macron’s decisions,” he stated, further suggesting that it may be “time to try something else.” This increasing opposition inside Macron’s close circle points to a more significant challenge to his authority and ability to make decisions.
Yet for all these domestic challenges, Macron continues to over-play his hand on the international stage. He is focused on addressing global issues, such as seeking to end Russia’s war on Ukraine alongside US President Donald Trump. This international prestige stands at stark odds with his shrinking support at home.
As tensions rise, Macron was seen walking alone along the banks of the Seine, engaged in a deep telephone conversation, perhaps reflecting on the precariousness of his position. His isolation demonstrates the chasm between his international forays and the reality at home.
Future Implications for French Politics
The larger political crisis in France has more fundamental questions of what direction France as a whole, and LaFrance, could take moving forward. With public debt at an all-time high and pressing economic challenges looming, the next premier will face significant hurdles in garnering support for necessary austerity measures. Philippe Lilley thinks that early elections might be the best workable solution once the budget is passed. He warns that the time for doing nothing is over.
France treads a fine line today. The next set of political choices will shape Macron’s legacy and determine the course of French governance for decades to come. The growing strength of the far-right has become a key challenge to mainstream parties. How they respond to this challenge will be make or break in the lead up to the fall elections.
