France still in political deadlock as Macron grapples with choosing prime minister

NEWS WIRES

4 September 2024 at 4:56 pm·1-min read

President Emmanuel Macron remained undecided on Wednesday on the choice of his new prime minister, with Conservative Xavier Bertrand and the former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve both seen as frontrunners. Analysts speculated on Wednesday that Michel Barnier, a right-winger and the EU’s former negotiator on Brexit, could also take on the role of premier, adding to the uncertainty.

France was still waiting Wednesday to learn the identity of its new prime minister almost two months after legislative elections left the country in political deadlock, with President Emmanuel Macron battling to find a name that would be acceptable to parliament.

Sources close to the president had indicated an announcement was possible as soon as Wednesday evening but later made clear no news was expected until Thursday at the earliest.

Conservative former minister Xavier Bertrand had been seen as the favourite but his chances appeared to recede throughout the day.

Macron had also been sounding out opinion on a return to office for former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve. An entirely new name also entered the fray on Wednesday, the right-wing mayor of the southern city of Cannes, David Lisnard.

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