France is experiencing a political impasse following parliamentary elections held nearly two months ago. Despite the elections, President Emmanuel Macron has yet to appoint a new government, initially stalling during the Olympics and continuing through August. The outgoing Prime Minister and his cabinet resigned post-election but remained in place under the “regime of ordinary affairs,” managing routine matters without voting rights in Parliament.The situation is exacerbated by the fragmented election results. Macron’s coalition suffered a significant loss, and no single party held a clear majority. The largest bloc, the left-wing New Popular Front led by France Unbowed, has nominated Lucie Castets, a relative unknown with no prior political office experience, as their prime ministerial candidate. Castets, a former Paris City Hall Finance Director, has been publicly introducing herself and advocating for her policy priorities, including environmental and social reforms.However, Macron has been slow to act, preferring to select a candidate who can garner broad political support. If a new government isn’t in place by January 2025, France risks a severe financial and political crisis.
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