Emmanuel Macron to Address Nation Amid Political Turmoil Following Prime Minister's Resignation

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation on Thursday in the wake of Prime Minister Michel Barnier's resignation, which resulted from a historic no-confidence vote at the National Assembly. This development has left France without a functioning government, raising pressing questions about the country's political stability.

The Elysee presidential palace confirmed Barnier's resignation, emphasizing that he, along with remaining ministers, will continue to oversee current affairs until a new government is appointed. Macron's upcoming speech is anticipated to focus on stabilizing the ongoing political crisis, although the timeline for naming a successor remains uncertain.

Barnier's resignation marks a significant moment in French politics, as he is now recognized for having the shortest tenure of any prime minister in modern French history—just three months in office. The no-confidence motion received overwhelming support, passing with 331 votes, which underscored the challenges Macron faces with a fractured parliament where no single party holds a majority.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the National Assembly and a member of Macron's party, urged the president to act swiftly in choosing a new prime minister. In an interview on France Inter radio, Braun-Pivet emphasized the need for decisive leadership, stating, "There must not be any political hesitation. We need a leader who can speak to everyone and work to pass a new budget bill."

Despite the urgency, Macron’s administration has yet to confirm any candidates for the prime ministerial role, although French media have reported a shortlist of centrists who may appeal to various factions within the parliament. Concerns linger regarding potential delays, drawing parallels to the more than two months Macron took to appoint Barnier following his party's defeat in June's legislative elections.

The political turmoil has also energized opposition figures, with some openly advocating for Macron's resignation. Manuel Bompard, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, stated on BFM TV, "I believe that stability requires the departure of the President of the Republic." Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, which holds the most seats in the Assembly, indicated that pressure on the president would increase but did not explicitly call for Macron’s resignation.

Despite mounting calls for his removal, Macron has stood firm against resigning or calling for new legislative elections. Earlier in the week, he reaffirmed his commitment to serve until 2027, stating, "I was elected to serve until 2027 and I will fulfill that mandate." The French constitution prohibits the holding of new legislative elections until at least July, which could exacerbate the political impasse.

This ongoing instability is raising alarms about France's economic outlook, particularly in relation to public debt, which analysts predict could reach 7% of GDP next year without significant reforms. The fallout from Barnier's government collapse could also result in rising French interest rates, complicating the country's fiscal situation further. Rating agency Moody's has cautioned that the government's downfall undermines the prospects for consolidating public finances and exacerbates existing political gridlock.

As the nation awaits Macron's address, all eyes will be on how the president plans to navigate this political quagmire while addressing the pressing economic challenges that lie ahead.

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