Emmanuel Macron will meet on Monday with Bernard Cazeneuve, a former member of the Socialist Party and a veteran figure on the French political scene, as the French president closes in on announcing a new prime minister, two sources close to Macron said.
Macron will also welcome his two predecessors, Socialist François Hollande and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Macron has been under pressure to end weeks of political deadlock after calling early elections that resulted in a hung parliament.
Cazeneuve has been increasingly pointed to by politicians and observers as one of the most likely candidates to lead a new government, as he is respected by right-wing parties, although he is also close to the left.
He left the Socialist Party two years ago to protest against its closer ties to the far-left party France Insubmissa (LFI).
France’s next prime minister will have the daunting task of trying to navigate reforms and the 2025 budget through a divided parliament, as France comes under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.
In addition to a brief stint as prime minister at the end of Hollande’s term, Cazeneuve has served three terms as minister: for European Affairs, the Budget and the Interior.
Macron’s gamble to call early parliamentary elections in June failed, with his centrist coalition losing dozens of seats and no party winning an outright majority.
The leftist New Popular Front alliance came first, but Macron ruled out asking it to form a government after other parties said they would vote against it immediately. Instead, he waited weeks to make his choice.
Even if the political impasse continues after a new government is appointed, Macron would not be able to call new snap elections until July next year, according to the French constitution.
Source: Terra
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