Macron should announce early election, says former PM as France's political crisis deepens

"Macron has asked Lecornu, who tendered his resignation on Monday morning just 27 days after he was appointed and 14 hours after his new cabinet was unveiled, to stay on for 48 hours to try to salvage the administration and chart a way out of the crisis. The president has said he is ready to assume his responsibilities in case of failure, officials at the Elysee Palace have told French media, a remark widely interpreted as meaning he would call snap parliamentary elections."

"Philippe told RTL radio he was not calling for Macron's immediate resignation but that the president should announce that he is organising an early presidential election once a budget for next year has been adopted. Time is of the essence, he said. We are not going to prolong what we have been experiencing for the past six months. Another eighteen months is far too long and it is damaging France. The political game we are playing today is distressing."

Edouard Philippe favors an early presidential election once next year’s budget is adopted, arguing that prolonging the six-month political crisis for another 18 months would damage France. Philippe did not call for an immediate presidential resignation and urged prompt action to end the deadlock. Jordan Bardella supported first dissolving parliament, followed by parliamentary elections or early presidential elections. President Emmanuel Macron asked Sebastien Lecornu, who tendered his resignation 27 days after appointment and 14 hours after the cabinet unveiling, to remain for 48 hours to try to salvage the administration. Officials indicated the president stands ready to assume responsibilities, a remark widely interpreted as signalling potential snap parliamentary elections, and signs of dissent emerged within Macron’s centrist ranks.

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