Macron Seeks Coalition to Resolve Government Impasse

French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated a series of meetings with leaders from all major political parties to form a new government, following June's snap elections which resulted in a hung parliament. Macron aims to secure a broad and stable majority, starting talks with the leftist New Popular Front (NFP), which won the most seats but did not achieve an absolute majority. The NFP has proposed Lucie Castets as their candidate for prime minister, but Macron has yet to endorse her, emphasizing the need for cross-party cooperation. Talks will continue with centrist, conservative, and far-right leaders, with a new prime minister expected to be appointed by Tuesday. Macron’s goal is to ensure that the new government will be stable and capable of passing critical legislation, including the 2025 budget, amid pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce France’s deficit.