French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that the outgoing government will continue to focus on the organization of the Olympics as a caretaker government until the end of the Games, at which point he will seek to appoint a new prime minister and authorize the formation of a new government.
According to a report by the French newspaper “Le Monde,” Macron stated during interviews with French television and radio that his caretaker government will remain at least until “mid-August.”
Macron mentioned that the current political changes will only lead to chaos, so he will wait until after the Olympics to appoint a new prime minister based on the negotiation results of the major political parties.
Admitting that his centrist party faced defeat in the elections, Macron refused to comment on the new prime minister candidate proposed by the left-wing alliance “New Popular Front.” However, citing the lack of an “absolute majority” in parliament, he rejected the candidate nominated by the left wing.
During the second round of elections on July 7th, the left-wing alliance “New Popular Front” won 182 seats to become the largest party in parliament; Macron’s centrist party “Ensemble” won 163 seats; and the right-wing party “National Rally” gained 143 seats.
With no party securing a majority of seats, France is now facing a situation of uncertain political prospects known as a “hung parliament.”
Last week, Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the cabinet but requested the Attal government to continue its duties as a caretaker government until a new government is formed, ensuring the smooth running of the Paris Olympics.
The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26th to August 11th. It is the first time since 1924 that the Games have returned to the French capital and will primarily use temporary venues constructed in the center of Paris.
During a visit to the athletes’ village on Monday, Macron stated that France is prepared to host the Paris Olympics. He said, “It is the result of a lot of work, and this work has greatly transformed this country, especially the Seine-Saint-Denis region where the athletes’ village is located.”
Seine-Saint-Denis, where the Olympic athletics stadium is situated, is one of the poorest areas in France, hoping to benefit from the sporting event.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also visited the athletes’ village located in the northern part of the French capital. Thousands of athletes and officials are expected to arrive here, with up to 14,500 people estimated during the peak of the Games.
Meanwhile, as the Israeli delegation set off for Paris, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne welcomed the Israeli delegation to participate in the Olympics.
Previously, French left-wing party “Unbowed France (LFI)” representative Thomas Portes had urged the Israeli delegation not to participate in the Olympics due to the Gaza conflict, causing public outrage.
Before meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz in Brussels, Sejourne stated that France welcomes the Israeli delegation and will ensure the delegation’s safety. He added that calls to exclude Israel were “irresponsible and dangerous.”
Macron reiterated during Tuesday’s interview, “Israeli athletes are welcome to participate in the Paris Olympics. We cannot mix politics with the Olympics.”
At the upcoming opening ceremony, 6,000 to 7,000 athletes will travel by 85 shuttle boats and small boats along the river, against the backdrop of famous landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral, which suffered a fire in 2019, is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen to the public by the end of this year.
Athletes will disembark at Trocadero, opposite the Eiffel Tower, to take part in the grand opening ceremony organized by the host.