French President Emmanuel Macron has finally decided: the new Prime Minister is a right-wing bigwig, Michel Barnier. This choice keeps the head of state under pressure, because his maneuvers and procrastination have provoked the anger of almost the entire political class. To the point of raising the question of his ability to complete his second presidential term. Hello Aurélien Devernoix, the head of state leaving the Élysée before 2027, it’s a little tune that resonates.
Indeed, and first of all in the National Assembly. This week, 80 deputies of the New Popular Front filed a motion for a resolution to dismiss Emmanuel Macron. The parliamentarians are appealing to Article 68 of the Constitution, considering that the head of state has since the dissolution ” failed in his duties “.
The text is almost doomed to failure, because it would have to be adopted by two-thirds of the deputies and senators gathered in Parliament: this is mission impossible. The Insoumis have also launched a parallel petition demanding the dismissal of Emmanuel Macron which has already collected 200,000 signatures. “CIt is a strategic move, explains LFI coordinator Manuel Bompard. We are planting the idea of his departure in the minds of the French and of parliamentarians, and then we could have surprises in the Assembly. “.
A starting melody that resonates elsewhere than on the left
Edouard Philippe’s declaration of candidacy for the presidential election has indeed sounded like a warning shot for Emmanuel Macron. By launching himself into the race so early, his former Prime Minister is giving the impression that the head of state could leave the Élysée Palace earlier than expected. Edouard Philippe also leaves the door open to this scenario in the interview in which he displays his ambitions.
An unthinkable departure for Emmanuel Macron
For the President of the Republic, it is indeed out of the question not to complete his term. But he may not be the decision-maker if political instability continues. A new dissolution of the Assembly could occur in 2025 and in the event of a new debacle of the presidential camp, Emmanuel Macron would find himself facing enormous political pressure and the renewed risk of impeachment or forced resignation.
In 1969, General Charles de Gaulle, worn out by the May 1968 revolt and then by a defeat in a referendum on his Senate reform, decided to throw in the towel, three years before the end of his second term. Emmanuel Macron knows that he will have to regain momentum to prevent history from repeating itself.