“You can trust that I will act as your president until May 2027,” he wrote in a letter to the French that was published in several newspapers on Sunday. Macron acknowledged that the way of governing would have to “change fundamentally” after the elections.
Macron said he had noticed the French people’s desire for change, citing his party’s poor showing in the European elections. In particular, he called for “much stronger and more decisive responses” to “insecurity and impunity” in the country. The president mentioned a new child policy, the protection of young people and “the fight against all forms of discrimination” as priorities. There is also a strong desire “for social justice”.
He hoped that the future government would “unite Republicans with different opinions who have shown the courage to oppose the extremes,” Macron explained.
Right-wing populists lead in survey
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also said he had heard “the message” from the European elections. The government must improve “its governance” and “seek coalitions with the French and civil society.” In France The right-wing populists around Marine Le Pen are currently on the rise. After the clear victory of Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) party in the European elections on June 9, Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called early elections.
According to a survey published on Saturday for the newspaper “Le Parisien” and the broadcaster Radio France, the RN currently has 35.5 percent of the vote, followed by the left-green electoral alliance Nieuw Volksfront with 29.5 percent. Macron’s liberal camp is in third place with 19.5 percent.
Le Pen proposed to Macron to resign on Friday. This is the only way to avoid political deadlock, she said. Macron is in theory free to appoint a prime minister. However, he is dependent on obtaining a majority in the National Assembly. This could lead to a coexistence where the president and the head of government belong to different camps. There are currently fears that the three blocs – the right-wing populists, the left-green electoral alliance and the government camp – could permanently block each other.