Speech by Emmanuel Macron: political reactions fuse

After Emmanuel Macron’s speech on Wednesday evening devoted to the results of Sunday’s legislative elections and the political crisis born of the absence of an absolute majority in the National Assembly, political reactions are not long in coming. Starting with the leader of the United Left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, immediately reacted with skepticism: “It is useless to dissolve the reality of the vote by filling it with considerations and appeals of all kinds.” The former LFI presidential candidate estimated that now “the executive is weak, but the National Assembly is strong in all the legitimacy of its recent election”.

Saying that he did not trust the macronie to respect the texts presented by the opposition, he again called on Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to solicit confidence by a vote of the deputies, and to resign if she does not obtain it.

A conciliatory RN

The president of the RN and lieutenant of Marine Le Pen Jordan Bardella observed: “This is the first time that Emmanuel Macron’s arrogance has slowed down a bit: this change comes from the people, who have made him a minority president.” He was conciliatory: “Our powerful group in the Assembly will be firm but constructive, with the sole compass of the interest of France and the French.”

This is the first time that Emmanuel Macron’s arrogance has slowed down a bit: this change comes from the people, who have made him a minority president. Our powerful group in the Assembly will be firm but constructive, with the sole compass of the interests of France and the French people.

—Jordan Bardella (@J_Bardella) June 22, 2022

“His speech on the method aims to evacuate his responsibility and to change nothing of his project”, rejected the communist Fabien Roussel, while the socialist Olivier Faure tackled: “No, the political formations do not have to answer him until ‘where they’re willing to go and give him a blank cheque.”

His discourse on the method aims to evacuate his responsibility and to change nothing of his project.

Increase in wages, pre-recruitment at the hospital and at school, it is a plan to respond to the social emergency and the challenges of the century that the country needs!#Macron20h

— Fabien Roussel (@Fabien_Roussel) June 22, 2022

No, the PR did not understand the French. No, he was not elected on a “clear project” but to block the RN. No, the political parties do not have to answer him how far they are ready to go to give him a blank cheque. #Macron20h

— Olivier Faure (@faureolivier) June 22, 2022

“Blurry”

On the right, the new leader of LR deputies, Olivier Marleix, also rejected a “blank check, moreover on an unclear project”. “There is no alternative to the dialogue and respect evoked by the president,” he wrote on Twitter, also promising that his group would make proposals on purchasing power next week.

There is no alternative to the dialogue and respect mentioned by the President. But there can be no blank check on an unclear project. Next week the deputies @the Republicans make proposals on purchasing power.

— Olivier Marleix (@oliviermarleix) June 22, 2022

The leader of environmentalists Julien Bayou judged on LCI the speech “fuzzy”. “The president says he wants to act on the climate, we don’t believe him,” he said, adding that Nupes would make proposals on the subject.