France’s opposition parties have made it clear to President Macron that they will not make life easier for him after the parliamentary elections on Sunday† The coalition to which Macron belongs lost an absolute majority, forcing him to make compromises with other parties.
But that won’t be easy. The most logical cooperation partner for Macron is the conservative Les Républicains, the former power party that previously provided presidents such as Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac. But that party’s leader says joining a coalition with Macron is not on the table.
“That would be voter fraud,” leader Christian Jacob said after meeting Macron. Earlier, Jacob called the French president arrogant. He does seem to be open to negotiations on various sub-topics. But, he also said, it is up to Macron to come up with compromises.
Meanwhile, Macron has also denied Prime Minister Borne’s resignation. She tendered her resignation, as is often customary after the election, but Macron says the government “must continue to carry out its duties”.
Left keeps door closed
The left parties also want to know little about collaborating with Macron for the time being. The left-wing Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is part of the left-wing partnership Nupes and came second, wants Prime Minister Borne to be fired. “We are wasting our time,” he said after a talk at the presidential palace.
The party leader of the Socialists only wants to cooperate with Macron if the minimum wage is increased sharply. Something Macron sees little in. According to leader Olivier Faure, the party can support some policy proposals, but only if the president also supports their ideas. Gone are the days when Macron could rule alone, Faure said.
“From now on, he must accept an important role for parliament,” he said. “It is healthy that he has to be accountable and that he has to negotiate.” And for support, Macron certainly does not have to knock on the door of Marine Le Pen of the radical right-wing Rassemblement National. She has already said that she will not make any concessions.
There is also irritation in French politics about Macron’s agenda. He is due to be in Brussels later this week for meetings with European leaders. He then travels to Germany for a G7 summit and then to Madrid for a NATO summit.
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