By Satyaki Chakraborty
President Emanuel Macron has landed France in a serious political crisis by appointing the conservative leader of a small right party Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister after rejecting the candidature of the largest group of the national assembly Lucie Castets. President Macron took the final decision after getting approval for Barnier from the Far Right National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen.
Rightly, the decision of the French President who claims himself anti-Right and took a position against Far Right RN in the second round of national elections on July 7 this year, has taken a completely reverse turn in the selection of the Prime Minister. In the 577 member national assembly, the New Popular Front (NFP) of the Left parties have now 193 seats as against 163 of President Macron’s Ensemble coalition and 143 of the far right Le Pen. Originally after the elections, the NFP secured 183 seats but in the last two months, ten more members from small left parties and independents have extended support to NFP.
Naturally, the mandate is for a coalition government led by NFP and the NFP leaders forwarded the name of the veteran administrator and climate activist Lucie Castets who is highly popular. She is only 38. The Government under NFP PM Castets should have been given support by President Macron’s party as anti-Right combination in the present political situation of the country, but President Macron betrayed the cause and facilitated the process of the government formation headed by Barnier by extending the support of his 163 members of national assembly to him with the backing of 143 member RN..Barnier on his own orgnised61 members of the small right parties including his party.
This means that Macron’s party will have to support this government to get majority in the assembly along with the far right RN. In the present national assembly — 289 is needed for a majority, Macron’s party with 163 members can sustain this government with the support of 143 from RN and a few other members of small rightist parties.
President Macron has sacrificed his centrist character and facilitated the process of strengthening of the far Right which is waiting in the wings for direct takeover of power. It is clear that the NFP is not taking this lying down. Presently, massive demonstrations are being held by the NFP supporters, especially those belonging to the left trade unions like CGT in major cities of France including Paris. Prime Minister Barnier has to look always for help from President Macron and the Far Right Marine Le Pen for survival of his government. Le Pen has her own plans. She is looking at the next Presidential elections in April 2027 and her efforts are aimed at winning that crucial polls by making both NFP and Ensemble unpopular. In the next two and half years.
According to the French Constitution, another national election can be held only one year after the last elections of July 7 this year. That way, this government , even if non- functioning, will continue for minimum one year period and only then, if the Barnier Government falls and no new ministry formation is possible, President can call another general elections.
The NFP is ready for that eventuality but meanwhile, the NFP constituents have been mobilizing all sections of the population including the support base of Ensemble for fight against the Far Right. As French Communist Party sees it, the primary task is to consolidate unity of NFP parties, expand the base to include the anti- right centrists from the Macron camp and to bring back the lost base of the workers who rallied behind far right in earlier elections.
Barnier held his first public event last weekend, meeting with healthcare workers at a Paris hospital while masses of people protested his appointment just a few streets away. He said he wanted to “listen” to the public, but he didn’t appear interested in listening to protesters. He is known for his tough stance against the immigrants and that led Le Pen to extend her support.
Jean Luc Melenchon the leader of the largest left group France Unbowed in NFP is now having cordial relations with the French Communist Party which is taking the leading role in organizing protests throughout the country. He declared from the PCF’s platform on Saturday that’ The French people are in rebellion. They have entered into revolution now. There will be no pause, no truce. I call you to a long term battle. Melenchon was the candidate of the united Left in 2022 presidential elections against President Macron. He is expected to run in 2027 presidential elections also as common candidate of Left. President Macron will be completing two terms then. He can not stand again as per French constitution. (IPA Service)
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