France’s political circus keeps spinning, and Emmanuel Macron is still at the center of the storm.
Caretaker Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu tried to calm things down this week, insisting there’s no immediate plan to dissolve parliament despite weeks of gridlock and rumors that Macron could soon face the music.
After meeting with party leaders, Lecornu said there’s at least a hint of unity forming around one thing, pushing through an austerity budget by the end of the year. “This willingness creates a momentum,” he said, suggesting that fresh elections might be off the table, for now.
The problem? France has been in political limbo ever since Macron’s gamble on snap elections last year backfired spectacularly. Instead of tightening his grip, he ended up with an even more divided parliament and no working majority.
Three prime ministers later, all unable to stabilize the government, the country is still stuck without an approved budget, and Macron’s approval rating keeps dropping through the floor.
Meanwhile, his rivals smell blood. Far-right heavyweight Marine Le Pen and her protégé Jordan Bardella want Macron to quit altogether, calling for new elections.
“Let’s return to the ballot box,” Le Pen told reporters, insisting that only the people should decide what happens next.
They’re not alone. The far-left’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon and right-wing François-Xavier Bellamy are also demanding Macron’s resignation. Even members of his own centrist camp are starting to lose patience.
“I no longer understand the president’s decisions,” said Gabriel Attal, once one of Macron’s closest allies. “He seems obsessed with staying in control.”
In short: Macron’s political balancing act is wobbling, and the crowd’s losing interest fast.
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