France pursues a new prime minister following a coup event

France Braces for Political Crisis and Nationwide Protests

France is gearing up for a tumultuous week as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to appoint a new prime minister and security forces brace for potential acts of sabotage and massive protests. The political crisis deepened after the fall of the French government, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, following a vote of no confidence.

Macron is expected to accept Bayrou’s resignation today, paving the way for a new prime minister to be appointed in the coming days. The ongoing political crisis has urged Macron to act swiftly, with the country urgently needing to implement an austerity policy and consolidate its finances, which currently have a budget deficit of 5.8 percent.

Several potential candidates for the prime minister position have emerged, including Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Labor and Health Minister Catherine Vautrin, and Finance and Economy Minister Éric Lombard. Among them, Lecornu, a close ally of Macron’s liberal Renaissance party, is considered the most likely candidate to become the new prime minister.

However, finding a successor for Macron will be challenging due to the political divide in the National Assembly. The Assembly is divided between Macron’s liberals, the left, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right bloc, none of whom have a majority. In an attempt to gain support and potentially form a majority in the lower house, Macron may consider appointing a politician from the socialist camp or someone acceptable to them.

Meanwhile, the EU is watching critically to see if Paris is now serious about cutting spending. If the stalemate lasts too long, it could lead to a loss of confidence in the markets, further burdening French finances.

In addition to the political crisis, France is also bracing for nationwide strikes and protests against the government’s austerity course, which have now taken on the scale of a general strike. Unions have called for these actions on September 18, and pressure also looms from the streets, with a call to block the entire country on Wednesday spreading across France.

Macron’s quick announcement to appoint a new prime minister may be an attempt to ease the pressure on himself, as calls for his removal have been renewed, particularly from the left-wing party La France Insoumise, following the vote. The political crisis and the looming wave of strikes and protests are putting pressure on President Macron himself.

To avoid being the main focus of the protests, Macron is likely to want a new Prime Minister and government team by September 18. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced on Monday evening on France 2 that 80,000 police officers would be deployed for the day, as security forces are on high alert, expecting up to 100,000 protesters and spectacular blockades and acts of sabotage.

As France navigates these challenging times, the appointment of a new prime minister and the resolution of the political crisis will be crucial for the country's future.