Macron meets with former presidents, top politicians as search for PM narrows

NEWS WIRES

2 September 2024 at 3:27 am·1-min read

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday held yet another round of talks to find a new prime minister after almost two months of deadlock, hosting his two predecessors and two potential candidates. France has been run by a caretaker government since the July 7 snap legislative elections produced a hung parliament between a left-wing alliance, Macron's centrists and the far right.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday intensified efforts to find a new prime minister after almost two months of deadlock following inconclusive legislative elections, hosting two former presidents and two potential candidates.

France has been without a permanent government since the July 7 polls, in which the left formed the largest faction in a hung parliament with Macron's centrists and the far right comprising the other major groups.

Two possible candidates for prime minister – former premier Bernard Cazeneuve from the centre left and right-wing ex-minister Xavier Bertrand – held separate meetings with Macron.

An Elysee source, asking not to be named, did not rule out that a third candidate could emerge.

French daily Le Monde reported that 62-year-old Thierry Beaudet, head of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) advisory body and a figure utterly unknown to most French people, was also considered for the job.

(AFP)

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