Calls for protests as political upheaval deepens in France

Emmanuel Macron is facing a deepening crisis over the political deadlock France is facing with calls for protests after the president refused to name a prime minister from the left-wing coalition despite it winning the most parliamentary seats in the snap election last month.

- RACHEL HAGAN

The country’s national assembly is split between three blocs, the left, Mr Macron’s centrists and the far right, none of which have a majority of seats. The president’s decision not to choose the leftist New Popular Front’s candidate, civil servant Lucie Castets, sparked anger. The 37-year-old has said she is “incredibly concerned” at his decision and called for “people to mobilise”.

The French president has effectively shut the door on a potential leftist government – with the NFP comprising of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), the Socialists, the Greens and the Communists – saying they would not win a confidence vote in parliament and that it was a “threat to institutional stability”. He convened more talks for yesterday, but leftist parties were quick to dismiss them.