French President Emmanuel Macron is nearing a decision on France’s next prime minister, with meetings scheduled on Monday with potential candidates Bernard Cazeneuve and Xavier Bertrand, Bloomberg reports.
The prime minister position has been vacant since July, when an early legislative election called by Macron significantly altered the political landscape.
Macron is expected to announce his decision in the coming days. He will also meet with former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday as part of his consultations.
The discussions began last month in a bid to build consensus among French political leaders and end the weeks of uncertainty following the inconclusive legislative election.
The urgency to appoint a new prime minister is growing, as France needs to finalize its budget for next year. The country has been governed by a caretaker administration since the election.
The prime minister selection has drawn significant attention from investors, who are watching closely for signs of stability in French politics. Uncertainty over the new government’s ability to address the country’s large deficits has led to a decline in French assets and a rise in borrowing costs.
Cazeneuve, a former Socialist Party official who served briefly as prime minister under Hollande, has been considered a potential candidate. He left the Socialist Party in 2021 to establish his own movement.
Bertrand, a prominent conservative politician, is currently the head of the Hauts-de-France region. He is seen as a potential bridge between the center-right and Macron’s centrist alliance.
Macron’s decision is expected to have a significant impact on the future of French politics. The president has said that he wants to create a broad majority from the political center, effectively excluding the far-left France Unbowed and the far-right National Rally.
Appointing Cazeneuve could potentially split the left and draw moderate socialists to Macron’s coalition. Selecting Bertrand could help secure the support of moderate right-wing legislators.
