French President Emmanuel Macron admitted responsibility for the political divisions stemming from his decision to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections last summer. In his annual New Year’s address, Macron reflected on the tumultuous year, acknowledging the instability his actions had brought to France’s government.
“I have to recognise tonight that the dissolution has, for the moment, brought more divisions to the Assembly than solutions for French people,” Macron said, as reported by the Financial Times. “I fully acknowledge that.”
The dissolution, which followed a poor showing for Macron’s centrist candidates in June’s European elections, sought to provide a “moment of clarification” for France’s political landscape. Instead, it led to a fractured parliament divided into three blocs, with the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) emerging as the largest party.
In September, Macron appointed Michel Barnier, a conservative politician and former Brexit negotiator, as prime minister. However, Barnier’s tenure was short-lived, as he failed to secure parliamentary backing for a budget aimed at reducing France’s deficit, now exceeding 6% of GDP. His government was toppled by a no-confidence motion last month.
Macron has since appointed François Bayrou, a close ally, as the new prime minister. In his address, Macron called for political compromise in the year ahead and hinted at possible referendums in 2025. “I will also ask you to decide on some key issues, because each of you will have a role to play,” he said, further fueling speculation about France’s political future.
The past year has significantly weakened Macron’s political influence, with his popularity sinking to a record low. According to a December poll by Elabe, only 21% of French citizens express confidence in his ability to address the nation’s challenges.
Marine Le Pen, Macron’s far-right rival, criticized his leadership in her New Year’s message, describing his reflections as “belated regrets” and calling for a “democratic decision” in 2025. While stopping short of demanding early presidential elections, Le Pen emphasized the urgency of addressing France’s pressing issues.
On the international front, Macron reiterated the need for Europe to bolster its defense spending in response to Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. president. “Europe can no longer delegate its security and defence to other powers,” Macron said, renewing his call for increased investment in European defense capabilities. He also urged European leaders to simplify regulations to attract business investment.
