Pascal Canfin, a Member of the European Parliament and former head of WWF France, is calling for discussions to be opened with the left wing of the Macron camp and warns against the temptation of aligning only with the Les Républicains (LR) party. He notes that an alliance limited to LR would only hold with the “tacit support” of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). Canfin emphasizes the importance of a new government emerging after the Olympic Games, urging French political parties to follow the example of coalition-building seen in Europe.
Canfin points out that in many European democracies, the party that wins the election must prove its ability to find a majority in the Assembly. In France, this would be the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP). However, Canfin questions whether President Macron was wrong to not appoint a candidate from the NFP as Prime Minister. He argues that the NFP cannot govern alone and must reach out to other political groups to seek a majority. Canfin suggests that the current focus on aligning with the right wing is misguided and urges for bridges to be built with the NFP to initiate formal discussions.
The possibility of a coalition exclusively with LR is criticized by Canfin, who highlights that many EPR MPs do not want this arrangement. He notes that LR’s legislative program is too far to the right for Ensemble pour la République (EPR) members and that such a coalition would not have a majority on its own. Canfin warns that this coalition would require the tacit support of the RN, which goes against the spirit of the republican front established during elections.
Canfin stresses the need for a new government to be formed after the Olympic Games, following the example of coalition-building seen in the European Parliament. He emphasizes that the NFP must reach out to other political groups to seek a majority, rather than aligning solely with LR. Canfin calls for a focus on building bridges and initiating formal discussions between political parties to ensure effective governance moving forward.
In conclusion, Canfin advocates for a more inclusive approach to government formation in France, emphasizing the importance of coalition-building and reaching out to a range of political groups to ensure a stable and effective administration. He warns against exclusive alliances with LR and urges for a broader dialogue with the left to form a majority in the Assembly. Canfin’s call for a new government after the Olympic Games underscores the need for a proactive and collaborative approach to governance in France.
