French PM proposes successor from outside presidential coalition

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has advocated for appointing a successor from outside President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc.

In a letter to fellow party members, Attal expressed his support for selecting a new prime minister who is not aligned with the centre bloc parties, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

Attal argued that such an appointment would facilitate the creation of a government that represents a broad political spectrum, ranging from the left to the “republican right,” thereby advancing the interests of the French people.

President Macron began consultations with various political forces on August 23 to form a new government, a process expected to continue until August 26. This marks the longest period France has been without a government leader following a legislative election, as Macron had previously stated that the task of finding a new prime minister would not take priority during the Paris Olympic Games, which concluded on August 11.

Currently, Attal is leading a caretaker government. The delay in appointing a new prime minister has faced criticism from opposition figures, including Green Party senator Yannick Jadot, who labelled it “a denial of democracy.” Even Macron’s allies are showing signs of impatience.

An official from Macron’s office assured that “the president is on the side of the French people, the guarantor of the institutions.”

The Elysee Palace is set to hold talks with representatives from across the political spectrum. Although Macron’s office has not specified when the new prime minister will be announced, it is anticipated to be sometime next week. The appointee must secure a confidence vote in parliament and present a 2025 budget draft by the October 1 deadline.