French opposition party leader blames Macron for crisis, announces impeachment push

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of French far-left opposition party La France Insoumise, announced that his party will introduce a new motion to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Emmanuel Macron on September 23.

The declaration comes amid growing political tension following Prime Minister François Bayrou’s press conference on the 2026 budget, Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

Mélenchon recalled a similar motion filed a year ago, which was ultimately rejected by the National Assembly’s Law Commission. “One year ago, we submitted a motion to demand Emmanuel Macron’s impeachment,” he said. “We will do it again on September 23. Alongside a motion of no confidence – which may no longer be necessary if the government has already fallen – we will introduce an impeachment motion.”

While acknowledging what he described as a "dignified" response from Prime Minister Bayrou, who opted to seek a confidence vote from Parliament, Mélenchon stressed that the deeper issue lies elsewhere. “At last, we return to republican norms with this vote of confidence,” he remarked, “but François Bayrou is not responsible for the crisis he faces. The true cause lies with those who preceded him — in particular, President Macron — whose flawed economic and governance policies have led us here.”

Mélenchon reiterated his belief that Macron bears primary responsibility for France’s current political and economic instability, and must therefore step down. He referenced the earlier impeachment motion filed by the party, which sought to convene Parliament as a High Court to initiate constitutional proceedings. That resolution failed in committee, garnering only 15 votes in favor against 54 opposed.

Beyond parliamentary action, Mélenchon also voiced strong support for the upcoming “Bloquons tout” (“Let’s Block Everything”) grassroots movement planned for September 10. He urged that the mobilization proceed, regardless of the outcome of the confidence vote expected two days earlier.

“I hope the September 10 initiative is maintained,” he said, calling on trade unions to join forces with the citizen-led movement and issue a call for a general strike. “We are at a historic crossroads for France, and we are participants in this pivotal moment.”

He suggested that public pressure and sustained civic engagement had already influenced Bayrou’s decision to bring his government’s legitimacy to a parliamentary vote. “By supporting the September 10 mobilization, we have created a pincer movement that left Mr. Bayrou with no choice but to seek a vote of confidence.”

By Vafa Guliyeva