French President Emmanuel Macron will give his first speech to the nation since Wednesday night’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, when his Liberal coalition together lost its absolute majority in the National Assembly.
Since then, there has been rushing traffic in and out of the Elysee Palace for the various party leaders – including leaders of the left-wing alliance Nupes and the far-right National Assembly, who both made successful choices – for individual meetings with Macron.
The Communist Party’s Fabien Roussel and the National Assembly Marine Le Pen have stated that during the meetings Macron raised the idea of a coalition government. He himself has not commented on his plans.
If Macron does not succeed in securing a majority, the reforms he has planned for his second term are threatened, including an increase in the retirement age.
The last time a president lacked majority support in the National Assembly was after the 1997 election.
Macron will give a televised speech starting at 20.00.