French National Assembly rejects bid to impeach Macron

The Bureau of the National Assembly, the highest collegial body of the lower house of the French Parliament, has rejected a proposal from the left-wing opposition to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Emmanuel Macron. 

Members of the bureau stated that there were no grounds to consider the request submitted by the leftist party France Unbowed, which had gathered the signatures of 104 MPs, Caliber.Az reports, citing Le Figaro.

The president may be removed from office for failing to fulfil his duties, according to Article 68 of the French Constitution. To launch the process, initiators must first collect 58 signatures—one-tenth of the Assembly’s members. The bureau then decides whether the resolution can be considered. 

Afterwards, it must be approved by a relevant committee and supported by two-thirds of the deputies before being passed to the Senate. If both chambers endorse the document, a joint session is convened, where at least 617 of the 925 members must vote in favour for the impeachment to proceed.

Historically, no French president has ever been impeached. Previous attempts against President Emmanuel Macron in 2022 and 2024 by the left-wing party France Unbowed (LFI) were rejected early for lacking legal grounds. 

The Bureau of the National Assembly acts as the initial authority to assess motions and can dismiss those deemed inadmissible, as occurred with the most recent proposal.

By Khagan Isayev