The lines are starting to move after the censorship of Michel Barnier’s government. The Socialist Party, hitherto linked to the New Popular Front, does not rule out the possibility of entering into the “arc of government” desired by Emmanuel Macron to emerge from the simmering regime crisis. A notable change in tone after the post-legislative sequence but which, for the moment, does not lead to anything concrete.
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Received at the Élysée on Friday at midday, the first secretaryOlivier Faure and the heads of PS deputies and senators, Boris Vallaud and Patrick Kanner assure that they came to propose to the president a “new method”. Olivier Faure assured this earlier on the radio: “the socialists are ready to negotiate with the Macronists and the right on the basis of reciprocal concessions”. However, the demands of the rose party sometimes seem like demands. “We demand a left-wing Prime Minister,” declared Mr. Vallaud in particular as he left the Élysée. The party will not participate “in no case to a government led by a right-wing Prime Minister » adds Olivier Faure for his part.
Gestures of goodwill
In addition to the demands concerning Matignon, the socialist postulate is accompanied by concrete proposals such as pension reform. There is no longer any question of asking for its pure and simple repeal: a ” freeze “ of the law to organize “a financing conference” is now on the table. “When I want 100 and we get 50, that’s called taking a step,” said in particular the first secretary of the PS on FranceInfo Friday morning.
If he manages to detach the PS from the New Popular Front, this would arithmetically deprive the National Rally of its right of life or death over the government, but will the president be open to such a proposal, he who is keen on his reform? carried out in pain last year? Nothing is less certain.
Furthermore, the break with rebellious France has not been confirmed either. And even if the socialist tenors assure that Emmanuel Macron has “not absolutely not » asked the PS to break away from it. There is little doubt that a divorce from rebels is a red line for the Élysée.
Pressure from the right
To form this “general interest” government, the future Prime Minister will also need the right. The prospect of a head of government leaning to the left is far from enthusiastic among Les Républicains. Bruno Retailleau, resigning Minister of the Interior, said on“refuse compromise with […] the left which made a pact with the Insoumis”. The PS in a coalition with Macronists and the right? This would also augur a heavy atmosphere with the other members of the NFP. The rebels, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, are already accusing the socialists of treason. Emmanuel Macron must also consult LFI but also environmentalists and the Communist Party.