Politics France: Search for a government and no end in sight

France is at an impasse. Around eight weeks and several exploratory talks have passed since the parliamentary elections, but a new government is not in sight. Although some of the parties have shown themselves to be open to working together, no one is really daring to step out of their own shadow. President Emmanuel Macron is coming under increasing pressure.

Coalitions are not part of French culture

The fact that the search for a government is proving so difficult is also due to the fact that the situation in France is unusual. In recent decades, there has almost always been a clear government majority for one of the political camps - due to the former strength of the popular parties and the majority voting system.

Accordingly, coalitions are not part of the political culture. And the parties, which often pursue a confrontational course in parliament, find it extremely difficult to pull together despite their differing positions. But this will be necessary, as none of the camps received an absolute majority in the election.

"Illiberal drift"

The main stumbling block in the search for a government is the sometimes populist left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI). LFI is part of the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire, which came first in the election and has since insisted on its claim to government. However, all other camps are threatening to topple such a government with a vote of no confidence - because of LFI.

This is precisely why Macron has clearly rejected the left's plan. The alliance then accused him of "a disgrace", "an illiberal drift" and "a denial of democracy". It feels cheated of its election victory and fears that Macron simply wants to continue with his policies - regardless of the election result.

Referee or decision-maker?

Macron, on the other hand, sees himself as head of state and guarantor of the stability of the institutions. Appointing a head of government who will be toppled anyway is out of the question for him. He is likely to see his exploratory talks as an attempt to find a solution to the tricky situation in which neither party can carry on alone as usual. The Élysée repeatedly emphasizes that Macron is only the referee here.

However, the left perceives the president, who has pushed through his own policies with the government until the very end, much more as a decision-maker - as someone who wants to build a coalition himself instead of handing this task over to a prime minister. LFI is even threatening to initiate impeachment proceedings against Macron.

Expert government possible solution

So how can things continue in France? The conservatives are still not prepared to be part of a government. Macron's centrist camp is a good 120 seats short of an absolute majority, while the left-wing alliance is just under 100 seats short. Marine Le Pen's right-wing nationalists are out of the question as partners for the other camps anyway.

The Communists, Socialists, Greens and LFI are still insisting on governing together. However, the Socialists have recently come under increasing internal pressure to return to the negotiating table with Macron alone and turn their backs on LFI. Macron could also hope to win over the Greens for a coalition with the center - or rely on additional toleration from the conservatives.

Should all of this fail, Macron would be left with two options: a government of experts or leaving it up to the prime minister to find a majority. For this to succeed, however, he would need a personality who is as popular and innocuous as possible, which is likely to be almost as difficult to find as a coalition.

SDA