Paris, Dec. 10, (dpa/GNA) – French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint a new prime minister, possibly as early as Wednesday, after launching talks with all parties, with the exception of the extreme left and right, to form a broad-based government.
Following the fall of Michel Barnier, whose centre-right government collapsed following a vote of no confidence last Wednesday, the new prime minister will be tasked with forming a government that brings in as many parties as possible.
While the parties are not likely to form a new formal coalition, they will be expected to cooperate to the extent of not immediately throwing out the new government over passing a budget for 2025.
Barnier’s caretaker Cabinet is to make transitional arrangements on Wednesday for the French state to continue to operate until a 2025 budget is passed at the beginning of next year.
France has been politically deadlocked since early elections held in the summer failed to produce a clear result. At the same time, the country is facing a critical economic situation amid soaring national debt and a large budgetary deficit.
The European Commission is already conducting deficit proceedings against France on account of high new debt.
Speaking to broadcaster France Inter, Court of Audit head Pierre Moscovici said the political crisis was resulting in an economic crisis. France needed stable and reliable government, otherwise the situation would deteriorate, he said.
GNA