Marine Tondelier Criticizes Macron's Exclusion of Left in Prime Minister Choice
Marine Tondelier condemns President Macron's decision to exclude a left-wing prime minister and criticizes his hardline retirement reforms ahead of the 2025 budget.
- • Marine Tondelier denounces Macron’s refusal to appoint a left-wing prime minister.
- • The recent Élysée meeting excluded LFI and RN leaders.
- • Macron proposes delaying, not suspending, retirement age reforms.
- • The controversial parliamentary procedure 49.3 is being considered.
- • Laurent Panifous confirms no National Assembly dissolution is anticipated.
Key details
On October 10, 2025, Marine Tondelier, leader of the Ecologists party, voiced strong criticism of President Emmanuel Macron following a leaders' meeting at the Élysée Palace. The meeting, which excluded representatives from La France Insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN), failed to provide clarity on key political decisions ahead of the 2025 budget presentation. Tondelier expressed anger and disbelief that Macron intends to appoint a prime minister from outside the left-wing ecological camp. She stated, "We come out with no answers on anything, other than that the next prime minister, who should be appointed shortly, will not be from our political camp." She also criticized Macron's rigid stance on retirement reforms, highlighting his proposal to "not suspend, but delay" the retirement age without changing the required contribution quarters. Tondelier warned that Macron's isolation leads him to entrench further in his initial positions, predicting that "all this will end very badly." In a lighter moment after the meeting, Tondelier jokingly remarked on Gabriel Attal's solo exit from the palace, saying, "He walks alone," referencing a popular French song. Laurent Panifous, president of the LIOT group, noted that no National Assembly dissolution is planned and that the controversial 49.3 parliamentary procedure is being considered for government measures. This political climate underscores tensions as Macron's administration approaches the crucial 2025 budget presentation, signaling continued divisions within the French left and government.