\u201cThe president of the Republic is convinced that, on this basis, an agreement between the political forces is possible while respecting each party\u2019s convictions,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
Lecornu was the purported frontrunner to succeed Bayrou<\/a>, and Macron\u2019s office was even game-planning his appointment option Monday evening, \u00a0according to two officials with direct knowledge of the matter. <\/p>\n The armed forces minister reportedly hit the phones over the weekend\u00a0<\/a>to drum up support for his potential premiership and has already started reaching out to potential ministerial candidates, according to two people with direct knowledge of the calls who were granted anonymity to discuss backroom negotiations.<\/p>\n Part of Lecornu\u2019s appeal is his supposed ability to reach across the political aisle at a time of profound political paralysis. An individual close to Lecornu told POLITICO<\/a> the minister privately boasts of enjoying a privileged relationship with Marine Le Pen\u2019s far-right National Rally, while at the same time insisting he could\u00a0lead a coalition government of both the right and the left.<\/p>\n Le Pen,\u00a0however, was quick to slam the appointment and reiterated her calls for new parliamentary elections. <\/p>\n