France is grappling with a significant political crisis, prompting former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe to advocate for President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve parliament and call for early presidential elections. Philippe’s call comes as the nation faces mounting instability, with the current Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, recently resigning after just 26 days in office. This resignation followed a failed attempt to form a stable government, highlighting the deep divisions within the country’s political landscape.
Macron has reportedly asked Lecornu to present a last-ditch plan for stability by Wednesday. However, even within Macron’s own political circle, there are growing concerns. Gabriel Attal, a former Prime Minister himself, publicly stated that he “no longer understands the decisions made by the president.” Attal suggested that a new approach is needed, implying a desire for a power-sharing agreement with other parties to navigate the current deadlock.
The pressure on Macron to step down, previously confined to political opponents on the far-left and far-right, now appears to be amplified by figures within his own camp. This shift underscores the severity of the political challenges facing the presidency. Macron, who has been in office since 2017, has seen his approval ratings decline significantly in recent months. A recent poll indicated that a majority of French citizens believe he should resign.
Historically, Macron’s centrist bloc lost its parliamentary majority following a snap election called in response to a poor performance in the European Parliament elections. This loss of majority has hampered his ability to pass key legislation, including the annual budget aimed at reducing the nation’s substantial public debt. The budget deficit is currently projected to reach 5.4% of GDP this year.
Philippe, who leads the centrist Horizons party and served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2020, expressed his opposition to an immediate resignation by Macron, citing the potential negative impact on the electoral process. However, he stressed the importance of the President finding a resolution to the crisis by appointing a new Prime Minister capable of managing the budget and ensuring the state’s continuity, all while facilitating an orderly transition.