RN party: French far-right party national rally's Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen have declined PM Lecornu's invitation to take part in talks

RN party: French far-right party national rally's Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen have declined PM Lecornu's invitation to take part in talks

French President Emmanuel Macron has tasked outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with last-ditch talks to resolve the country's political crisis, but the far-right National Rally (RN) party has declined Lecornu's invitation to participate. This refusal further complicates Macron's efforts to navigate the deepening political turmoil.

Lecornu, who resigned after his government was rejected by both allies and opponents, was tasked with holding two days of talks with members of various political parties. The talks, set to conclude by Wednesday evening, aim to find a way out of the political crisis. However, the RN party, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, has declined to participate in these discussions.

The RN party's refusal to participate in the talks underscores the deep divisions within the French political landscape. The party has called for Macron to either dissolve Parliament or resign, with Le Pen stating that "the farce must end." Meanwhile, the Socialists have urged Macron to name a left-wing prime minister to avoid a snap election or presidential resignation.

The political crisis in France has been ongoing since the far-right surged in European Parliament elections last year, leading to a fractured parliament with no clear majority. Macron's efforts to find support for his pension overhaul and tax changes have been hindered by the lack of a strong parliamentary majority.

The crisis has had significant economic implications, with French stocks and the euro falling sharply following Lecornu's resignation. The CAC 40 index dropped more than 1.3% on October 6, making it the worst-performing index in Europe, while the euro slid 0.2% to US$1.172.

Macron's options remain limited. He could name a new prime minister, dissolve Parliament, or resign. However, he has ruled out calling new parliamentary elections or stepping down. The head of the Medef business chiefs lobby, Patrick Martin, has called for a sense of responsibility from all political players.

The political crisis is the deepest France has faced since the creation of the Fifth Republic in 1958. The country's political system is designed to ensure stable governance with a powerful president and a strong parliamentary majority, but Macron has struggled to find consensus and build coalitions.