The French leader denounced the “unnatural alliance” between the left and right and called for unity among democratic forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on moderate politicians to unite against extremism.
The French prime minister said on Wednesday he wanted to unite “people and political leaders who have not given in to the fanaticism of extremism,” calling for a move in anticipation of a challenge from the far right in general elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7.
Macron’s speech was his first since Sunday when he announced the dissolution of Parliament and sudden general elections following his centrist Renaissance party’s poor performance in EU elections.
At a press conference on Wednesday, he called for “men and women of good will who are able to say ‘no’ to extremes to come together and build common projects” in order to best serve France.
French voters dealt the president a major blow in last week’s European elections, with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally winning more than twice as many votes as the president’s party, which came in second to the center-left.
betrayal
The president’s call for unity among democratic forces came after conservative Republican leader Éric Ciotti announced plans to work with Le Pen.
Parties on the left are also rallying together despite divisions: the Greens, Socialists, Communists and the far-left Indomitable France party agreed to form a coalition on Monday.
Macron said on Wednesday that Ciotti had “made a deal with the devil” and criticised the alliance between the left and right.
“At the two extremes you have an unnatural alliance in which nothing can be agreed upon except the division of labor and no plan can be implemented,” the president said.
He called on a coalition of “moderates, progressives, Democrats and Republicans” to unite against these alliances, whether before or after the election.
Meanwhile, Ciotti has faced fierce criticism from within the Republican Party for “betraying” its traditions.
Stay
With three years left in his term, Macron said on Tuesday that the French constitution backed his position as president and ruled out stepping down “whatever” the outcome of the general election.
He reiterated this position at a press conference, saying there was “no way” he was thinking about resigning.
Macron also announced that France had cancelled planned electoral reforms in its overseas territory, New Caledonia.
The plan has caused uproar in the South Pacific islands in recent weeks. Several people saw Troops sent from France.
