French President Emmanuel Macron faces an uphill battle to form a new government, with the political left now refusing to take part after he rejected their candidate for prime minister. More than seven weeks after an inconclusive parliamentary election which cost his allies their relative majority, Macron has still not named a new prime minister to take over from the current caretaker administration. Left-wing coalition the New Popular Front (NFP) emerged from the vote as the largest bloc, but well short of an absolute majority. In the 577-seat National Assembly, the NFP has over 190 seats, followed by Macron's centrist alliance at around 160 and Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally at 140. The NFP have nevertheless demanded that the president pick their candidate Lucie Castets, a 37-year-old economist with a history of left-wing activism. But late Monday, Macron ruled out naming a left-wing government, saying it would be a "threat to institutional stability". Instead, he called on "all political leaders to rise to the occasion by demonstrating a spirit of responsibility". As consensus eludes Macron, in a complex French political landscape, largely paralyzed amid widespread defiance and cynical politicking, FRANCE 24's Mark Owen is joined by Political Consultant and Community Organizer, Hind Ziane, CEO and Founder of Génération politique.
