French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, December 3, rebuffed calls for his resignation, calling them “political fiction” in the midst of rising political tensions and an approaching no-confidence vote in parliament.
During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Macron flatly rejected the suggestion, calling it “frankly not up to scratch.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” he told reporters. “It so happens that if I am before you, it is because I was elected twice by the French people. I am extremely proud of this and I will honour this trust with all the energy that is mine until the last second to be useful to the country.” Macron’s current term runs until 2027.
The French leader’s remarks threaten Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration as his cabinet is up against a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, December 4.
Resignation may be the only way to end France’s political impasse, according to opposition leaders and even some voices within Macron’s larger political circle.
Macron criticized Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) for supporting the vote of no-confidence, calling it “unbearable cynicism.” He urged that the proposal be rejected, saying, “We must not scare people with these things; we have a strong economy,”
Macron expressed his confidence, despite political pundits expecting a coalition of far-right and left groups to overthrow the government.
“I cannot believe that the no-confidence motion will be passed against the government,” he said, signaling hope for his administration’s survival.
