Lucie Castets, campaigning as the candidate for Prime Minister for the Nouveau Front populaire (NFP), sent a letter to MPs and Senators outlining her five key priorities, including increasing purchasing power, ecological transition, education, health, and fair taxation. Following the legislative elections in July that left the National Assembly fragmented, Castets, along with leaders from left-wing parliamentary groups, highlighted the strong desire for change expressed by voters. Despite being proposed as Prime Minister by left-wing parties, President Emmanuel Macron rejected the idea, emphasizing the need for a government that can form a majority in the Assembly to pass reforms and budgets.
In response to the rejection, Castets and left-wing leaders mentioned the need to engage beyond NFP ranks to build parliamentary majorities, emphasizing a change in parliamentary practices to better discuss and share responsibilities and the agenda with the executive branch. The left-wing leaders propose discussions with republican parliamentary groups and other stakeholders to work on the budget for 2025 and a government work program for the coming months. They also plan to address issues like end-of-life care, protection of children, support for single-parent families, and staffing ratios in hospitals and addressing sexual violence in the cultural sector.
Since her candidacy was announced by the NFP, Lucie Castets has been making efforts to connect with the public, visiting different regions and engaging with various groups. Her aim is to build support and demonstrate the NFP’s strength, despite not having an absolute majority in the Assembly. The focus is on generating momentum to increase her chances of being appointed as Prime Minister. Although the NFP emerged as the leading party in the early elections with 193 deputies, they still lack the absolute majority needed to govern effectively.
The left-wing leaders aim to address the challenges of an Assembly without a clear majority by emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation across different political groups. They advocate for a more inclusive approach to governance that involves listening to various stakeholders and building consensus on key issues. By proposing discussions with parliamentarians, trade unions, local authorities, and civil society groups, they seek to create a more collaborative and transparent governing process.
Despite the setback of Macron’s rejection, Lucie Castets and the left-wing leaders remain committed to their vision of a government that prioritizes social and environmental issues and works towards a fairer and more equitable society. Their proposed changes in parliamentary practices aim to foster greater engagement and participation in decision-making processes, ensuring that the government reflects the diverse interests and needs of the population. As they continue to negotiate and build support, the future of the government formation process remains uncertain, with the possibility of further challenges and obstacles in the path towards realizing their goals.
