A bitter power struggle has erupted in France after the surprise victory of the New Popular Front in the legislative elections. The alliance, led by radical Jean-Luc Mélenchon, secured a significant number of seats in parliament, paving the way for a possible coalition government.
In response, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who has been criticized for his handling of the retirement age reforms, offered his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron. However, Macron reportedly refused the offer, citing the need for stability in the country. The president is believed to have asked Attal to remain in office until further notice.
Mélenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise, has called on Macron to either appoint a prime minister from the far-left alliance or resign. However, this has sparked widespread concerns among politicians and experts, who fear that a socialist government would exacerbate France’s debt crisis.
France is already heavily indebted, with the country currently being around 3 trillion euros ($3.2 trillion) in debt or around 110% of GDP, and the socialist policies proposed by the New Popular Front would only add to the financial burden. Outgoing economy minister Bruno Le Maire warned that France is at risk of a “financial crisis” and “economic decline” under the socialist approach.
Macron’s election gamble has backfired, effectively blocking the rise of the far-right National Rally but elevating the far-left to power. This has raised concerns about the stability of the government and the future of France’s economy. The battle for control of the government has only just begun, with Macron facing mounting pressure to choose a prime minister from the New Popular Front or resign.
