French President Emmanuel Macron finds himself in political limbo after a dramatic parliamentary showdown left Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on the chopping block 🪑💥. After the center-right leader suffered a crushing 364-194 vote of no confidence, Macron must now pick his fifth prime minister in less than two years – a tough mission that feels straight out of a telenovela.
Who could step up to the challenge? Names like Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu are swirling through the corridors of power, while other voices call for a technocrat or someone from the center-left. The Socialist Party is already pressing its case: it’s their turno, declared Socialist chief Olivier Faure, demanding left-green leadership take the reins.
Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally is crying out for snap elections, either parliamentary or presidential, but Macron has so far shut the door on that option. His gamble last year on early polls only made the parliament more divided, and this time the stakes feel even higher.
Markets reacted coolly on Tuesday morning, chalking up Bayrou's exit as business as usual. All eyes are now on Fitch's review of France's sovereign rating this Friday – a potential game-changer for French bonds and borrowing costs 📉.
Back on the streets, online organizers have dubbed Wednesday as Let's Block Everything, rallying opponents of Macron's policies to stage decentralized protests. From Clermont-Ferrand to the capital, supporters have been hosting pre-protest 'farewell drinks' for Bayrou, vowing to turn up the heat.
To cap it off, major unions have called for nationwide strikes and demonstrations on September 18, promising a full day of disruption. Macron's incoming PM will not only need to navigate a hostile parliament but also calm a restless public ready to sound the alarm on budget cuts and social reform. 🇫🇷✨
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France's Macron seeks new prime minister after government's collapse
cgtn.com
