The French centrist government of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has resigned. This was announced by the presidential palace in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron had been expected to reshuffle the government following recent difficulties with immigration law. It was initially unclear when a new government would be formed and who would lead it. Borne has held the office of Prime Minister since mid-May 2022.
The dispute over the immigration law in mid-December had put Macron under pressure. Macron’s key plan was passed in a tremor after the government made massive concessions to the conservative Républicains. However, the stricter legal text caused severe tensions within the Macron camp. 20 MPs from Macron’s ranks voted against the text and 17 abstained. Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau subsequently resigned. According to rumors, other left-wing cabinet members had also considered leaving the government because of the text before the vote.
Le Pen’s Rechtsnationale in Lauerstellung
The government under President Macron has been in the difficult situation of no longer having an absolute majority in the National Assembly for a year and a half. It is therefore dependent on votes from the opposition for its projects. Prime Minister Borne (62) tried tirelessly to find compromises. However, the government did not find a reliable partner in parliament. Macron’s core project of pension reform was ultimately pushed through by the government without a final vote in the National Assembly.
It is expected that Macron will move forward with a renewed cabinet and hold his camp together, especially after the internal quarrels. After all, the European elections are coming up in the spring, in which Marine Le Pen’s right-wing nationalist party threatens to significantly overtake Macron’s troops.
With the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer, France also faces an organizational challenge – and a moment at which the country wants to appear united and capable of acting to the outside world.
