Macron Rules Out New Popular Front, Seeks New Government Consultations

French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed the idea of naming a prime minister from the leftist New Popular Front alliance. He will initiate new consultations with political parties to form a government, avoiding potential no-confidence votes. The political crisis continues with no clear end in sight following a recent snap election.

French President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out appointing a prime minister from the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, as his office announced a new round of consultations with parties on Tuesday aimed at forming a government. The NFP, comprising parties from moderate Socialists to the far-left France Unbowed, would face immediate no-confidence votes in parliament from other parties, necessitating further discussions with political leaders.

Macron's announcement signals ongoing political turmoil after a recent snap election resulted in a hung parliament, split evenly among the New Popular Front, Macron's centrist faction, and the far-right National Rally. The NFP, having won the most votes, advocated for its candidate Lucie Castets to be named prime minister, a proposition Macron has ignored.

Far-right National Rally leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella have pledged to block any prime ministerial candidate from the NFP. Macron's options remain limited, as he seeks a consensus candidate who can gain parliamentary approval, with suggested names including Xavier Bertrand and Bernard Cazeneuve. Le Pen has proposed a referendum to resolve the crisis, criticizing the idea of a 'technical' government composed of apolitical technocrats.

(With inputs from agencies.)