No breakthrough in sight to end France’s political turmoil

France’s political crisis remains unresolved after President Emmanuel Macron’s crunch talks with political leaders ended on Friday with no apparent breakthroughs.

The meeting was held to address the country’s political deadlock following the resignation earlier this week of yet another prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, after just four weeks in office.

According to participants, no breakthrough was achieved at the Élysée Palace meeting. However, Macron still intends to appoint a new prime minister later in the evening.

The only parties not invited to the meeting were those from the far right and left of French politics, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed (LFI).

The dissolution of parliament and snap elections appear to be off the table for now, sources said.

Leading figures from the Socialists, Communists and Greens reported that Macron listened to their demands but offered little clarity on his future political course.

However, he signalled that his controversial pension reform could be suspended. The left-wing parties said they did not expect Macron to meet their demand to appoint a prime minister from their ranks.

The left has made its tolerance of a government led by Macron’s centrist camp conditional on a clear shift in policy.

The French president’s alliance lacks a parliamentary majority and, following the crisis talks, could also lose the backing of the conservative Républicains.

According to broadcaster BFMTV, citing Élysée sources, Macron planned to announce the name of the new prime minister before 8 pm (1800 GMT) on Friday.