“We think that it’s time for the president to give the left a try because we will have a different method. We will try to reach compromises. We’ve proposed a budget that will make savings but also make investments for the future, for a green transition… while also taxing the richest persons on their fortunes,” said Arthur Delaport, a Socialist Party MP from Normandy.
While speculation continues about who Macron might chose as his next prime minister, other challenges are looming.
There is growing focus here on the prospect, not just of significant industrial action in the coming weeks, but of a wave of street protests. A fledgling grass-roots movement, calling itself “Let’s Block Everything,” has been active on social media, urging French people to bring the country to a standstill this Wednesday.
“There is a bubble of exasperation in the country,” explained the commentator, Bruno Cautrès, offering a warning to Macron.
“Macron has been extremely, extremely active at the international level, particularly with Ukraine these last two weeks. And I think that it is time that Macron is talking to the French. Because…. there is a very high level of anger, frustration, tensions.”