"I do not support an immediate and abrupt resignation, but the president must take the initiative," former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stated on 7/10.

Philippe, who served as President Emmanuel Macron's first prime minister from 2017 to 2020, suggested that Macron should resign and announce snap elections immediately after France approves the next year's budget. This would allow sufficient time for a proper campaign, following the collapse of the third government within one year.

France's next presidential election is slated for 2027. Constitutionally, Macron is ineligible to seek a third term.

Former Prime Minister Philippe has declared his intention to run for president. Surveys indicate he could advance to the second round, potentially facing a candidate from the far-right National Rally party.

Philippe condemned the "sad political game," asserting that President Macron must help France "escape the political crisis that is harming the country."

The former French prime minister emphasized, "He must make a decision worthy of his position, ensuring the continuity of institutions by departing in an orderly fashion."

French President Emmanuel Macron in Luxembourg on 3/10. Photo: AFP

Should Macron resign, a new presidential election would need to be held within 20-35 days. His current term is scheduled to conclude in the first half of 2027.

An unnamed centrist politician revealed that Philippe faces growing pressure from his Horizons party, which he founded in 2021 and previously collaborated with Macron. Several allies have encouraged Philippe to capitalize on this moment to distance himself from the president.

Philippe's remarks signal the latest departure of Macron's centrist allies. This follows Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his two predecessors, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, all losing their posts after failing to convince parliament to approve billions of USD in spending cuts aimed at balancing the national budget.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, another Macron appointee who now leads the president's political party, stated he "no longer understands" the head of state's decisions. Attal also accused Macron of "wanting to cling to power," despite his party's failure and loss of a parliamentary majority in the snap elections Macron himself called last year.

A survey published by polling firm Elabe on 6/10 revealed that 51% of respondents believe President Macron's resignation would help de-escalate France's political climate, while 26% anticipate such a move would worsen the situation.

The 2024 election resulted in a fragmented French parliament, split into three blocs: the president's centrist alliance, a left-wing alliance, and the far-right National Rally party. No single bloc secured a parliamentary majority, with each prioritizing its position for the 2027 presidential election over compromising to form a stable government.

The political crisis also has financial roots. France's budget deficit currently stands at nearly 6% of GDP, double the European Union (EU) limit. Public debt has reached a record high, making it the third largest in the EU, surpassed only by Greece and Italy, and nearly double the bloc's permitted 60% of GDP.

By Huyen Le (Based on reports from Politico, France24, and RTL)