Emmanuel Macron is set to decide on the name of his Prime Minister this Wednesday, according to several sources. Xavier Bertrand or Bernard Cazeneuve? The president could explain himself in a televised speech.
Emmanuel Macron has multiplied consultations in recent days, and finally seems ready to decide this Wednesday, September 4. According to the president’s entourage, quoted by franceinfo and BFMTV, he has “tested the hypotheses Xavier Bertrand and Bernard Cazeneuve” at length and should designate one of them for Matignon today. BFMTV adds that “the announcement of the Prime Minister chosen by Emmanuel Macron should take place by press release from the Élysée, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.”
It is also likely that Emmanuel Macron will also make a speech, in the evening, perhaps at 8pm, to explain to the French the meaning of this choice, but nothing is set in stone. For the president, the appointment of the Prime Minister is a considerable turning point in his second term, since it must mark the moment of a new governance, embodied by a different line from the one held for 7 years with the support of the former presidential majority.
The president must first indicate that he is entrusting the new prime minister with the task of forming a government capable of obtaining a majority of support in the Assembly, leaving him in charge and with the responsibility for this task. He must also describe this new governance; the words he chooses will be important. Cohabitation? Collaboration? Coalition governance? The president will entrust the keys to Matignon to someone who will rely on several political parties, including those of the central bloc, Macronists, giving a unique character to the political sequel that is being prepared.
Xavier Bertrand or Bernard Cazeneuve?
“Bernard Cazeneuve and Xavier Bertrand are on an equal footing,” the Elysée told franceinfo on Wednesday, September 4. The former socialist does not have unanimous support in the ranks of the left-wing alliance. The Socialist Party ruled out unconditional support for a government led by Bernard Cazeneuve on Tuesday, during its political bureau. But the PS does not rule out supporting it according to the roadmap defended. The former tenant of Matignon under François Hollande will, however, be faced with censure from the other parties of the New Popular Front and the National Rally, according to the leaders of these parties. This leaves a ridge path to find a majority.
Xavier Bertrand is also supported by Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, Laurent Wauquiez, President of the group of Republican Right deputies in the National Assembly and Bruno Retailleau, President of the group of LR senators. However, the National Rally and the entire left have brandished the threat of censure, which suggests that Xavier Bertrand will not be able to govern. If he is thinking of him, it is because the latter or Emmanuel Macron had to find guarantees to ensure stability.