PARIS – France’s left-wing parties plan to form a joint government after emerging as the strongest bloc in parliament following a snap election. However, any formal pact is unlikely to be established this week, according to Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist Party (PS).
“Nothing will happen before July 18,” Faure told France 2 television, referring to the date the newly elected National Assembly is scheduled to convene for the first time.
The New Popular Front (NPF), an alliance that includes socialists, Greens, the communist party, and the hard-left, eurosceptic Unbowed France (LFI), won the parliamentary election earlier this month but fell short of a majority. “We will take our time, don’t worry,” Faure said, indicating a shift in tone after a week of unproductive talks within the bloc.
Following their surprise election win on July 7, Faure and other leaders had initially expressed readiness to form a government and expected to name a prime minister within days. However, no progress has been made since then.
President Emmanuel Macron last week urged mainstream parties in France’s hung parliament to form a coalition capable of achieving a “solid” majority, putting pressure on the more moderate factions of the NPF to consider aligning with Macron’s centrists.
Even if the left manages to agree on a candidate for the prime minister position, it remains uncertain whether Macron would appoint a premier from their ranks, as such a government would still lack approximately 100 seats needed for a stable majority in parliament.