NICE, France — France’s main left-wing coalition on Tuesday accused President Emmanuel Macron of acting undemocratically after he rejected the new Popular Front candidate for prime minister following last month’s inconclusive election.
The French constitution gives Macron, as president, the exclusive power to appoint the prime minister.
French politicians have been deadlocked over a new government since an early legislative vote in July failed to produce a clear winner. The latest tensions include a call for mass protests against Macron next week as Paris prepares to host the Paralympics with the opening ceremony scheduled for Wednesday evening.
The New Popular Front coalition won the most seats in the National Assembly. Macron’s centrist coalition came in second, and the far-right National Rally party came in third, leaving the powerful lower house of the French parliament without a majority party.
However, the left-wing coalition, which includes the far-left France Insoumise party, the Socialists and the Greens, insists that the new prime minister must come from within its ranks because it is the largest group.
On Monday, Macron rejected his candidate for prime minister – little-known civil servant Lucie Castets – saying his decision to reject a government led by the New Popular Front was aimed at ensuring “institutional stability.”
Macron said the deeply divided parliament would not back a left-wing government and announced another round of consultations with political leaders. He called on left-wing leaders to seek cooperation with parties outside their coalition, including the president’s centrist alliance.
Left-wing leaders have criticised Macron, accusing him of endangering French democracy and refusing to accept the election results. The Socialists and Greens refused to meet the president for a new round of negotiations on Tuesday. A rebellious France, whose leaders were not invited to the presidential Elysee Palace, has called for mass protests against Macron.
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