Macron faces political gridlock post-Games
PARIS — The success of the Olympic Games has surpassed the wildest dreams of many in France, but in the next weeks, President Emmanuel Macron still will have to face the reality of the deadlocked politics created by his calling of snap legislative elections.
With the Games just around the corner, the polls left France with three major blocs in parliament — the left as the largest followed by Macron's centrist forces and the far right — with none of them close to mustering the numbers for an overall majority.
The former government of Macron allies, under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, has carried on in a caretaker capacity throughout the Games, but five weeks after the elections, the country still does not have a new prime minister.
While the Games have lifted what was a morose mood in France, it is far from certain this will give a new impulse to the remaining three years of the president's mandate.
"The fact that things are going well, that we are seen as beautiful and successful abroad, has struck a chord in a country that was experiencing decline and was no longer capable of doing great things collectively," said political commentator Emmanuel Riviere.
'Frustrated' voters
"This changes the collective climate but not the political situation: The situation remains blocked, many voters are frustrated ... The French are putting things into perspective and remain very angry with Emmanuel Macron."
Macron's approval ratings remain well under 30 percent, with the president keeping a low profile during the election campaign and the Games, spending most of the Olympics ensconced in the Mediterranean holiday residence of the French president.
The number one priority for Macron will be naming, and winning approval for, a new prime minister and government, a process that appears to remain as blocked as it was before the Games.
As visitors and Parisians gasp in awe for a last time at the Olympic cauldron tethered to a balloon, sources within the executive are playing down the prospects of a rapid breakthrough.
Macron, known to use his vacations at the Fort de Bregancon holiday residence for deep reading and reflection, is "still thinking", according to a person close to him.
Agencies Via Xinhua