French Parliamentary Groups Called to Act Against Macron's Alleged Failures

On Saturday, the France Unbowed Party appealed to other parliamentary groups to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Emmanuel Macron due to "serious failures" in fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. 

This call is part of a draft resolution penned by deputies from the party, aligned with the Greens, Socialists, and Communists within the "New Popular Front." The tension between these groups and the president has escalated, particularly after his refusal to appoint their candidate, Lucie Castex, as Prime Minister.

The conflict between Macron and France Unbowed, along with its allies, intensified especially after Macron's refusal to name Castex as Prime Minister following the inconclusive parliamentary elections in July.

Despite their alliance, the "New Popular Front," winning the most seats, the results did not provide any faction with a majority in the highly fragmented National Assembly, split among the left, Macron's centrists, and the far-right National Rally.

The deputies of France Unbowed stated in the impeachment draft that "the National Assembly (the lower house) and the Senate can and must defend democracy against the president's authoritarian tendencies."

Their parliamentary leader, Mathilde Panot, mentioned that they have circulated the document to other deputies to collect signatures.

Any attempt to impeach Macron through Article 68 of the French Constitution faces significant hurdles, as it requires the approval of two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly and the Senate combined.

The France Unbowed Party asserts that it is not up to the president "to engage in political bargaining," referring to Macron's efforts since July to find a consensus Prime Minister.

However, several constitutional experts note that the Fifth Republic's Constitution, established in 1958 and drafted with the assumption that the electoral system would produce a clear majority, is ambiguous about the steps to take in the event of parliamentary dysfunction.

Macron has justified his refusal to appoint Castex as Prime Minister, stating that it is his duty to ensure "institutional stability."