Overview

• France faces a political crisis following the no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who was appointed by President Macron in September.
• The Socialist Party (PS) is considering aligning with Macron and centrist parties, which could fracture the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition that holds the largest parliamentary bloc.
• Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insoumise, has condemned PS's negotiations with Macron, calling it a betrayal of leftist unity and reiterating his demand for Macron's resignation.
• President Macron has initiated consultations with various political parties, but tensions remain high as no clear pathway to a stable governing coalition has emerged.
• The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, remains a significant factor, leveraging its influence in parliamentary votes while facing internal debates over strategy and legal challenges.