With the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics over, President Emmanuel Macron now has to deal with a self-created political crisis that he kept quiet until after the Games, according to Euractiv.
In a political gamble, Macron called early legislative election just weeks before the start of the Games. However, choosing a prime minister who can appease Macron’s centrist camp, the Left Alliance, and the National Rally has proved difficult.
After days of political negotiations that reached nothing after the 7 July vote, Macron declared a political truce through the Games. By doing so, he gave himself until around mid-August to appoint a prime minister and allow political parties to negotiate.
All those who did not believe in the Games were wrong. Often, when you switch the TV on or read a newspaper, there is talk of decline. The French have rediscovered they can do great things together.
The president has a tough work ahead as parliamentary approval of the 2025 budget is at the top of the list of incoming documents, while France is under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit. Eric Coquerel, the head of the finance committee in parliament, stated:
“If Macron tries to name a sort of rightist government, he will get no budget.”
Macron’s entourage is keen to use the Games as an example of what France can do when diverse parties join forces. Even if Macron’s domestic affairs remain grim, the Games have allegedly enhanced his international standing despite a plethora of minor challenges.
Michael Payne, a former IOC marketing chief, said Macron made a strategic mistake by calling a snap election before the Olympics rather than after. Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, leader of the national-oriented Debout la France (France Arise), also condemned Macron’s efforts to appoint a government.
Once again E. Macron takes the French for fools that they are not! Instead of “smoke” us, he would do better to come back down to earth and appoint a government. Enough of this comedy!
