French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out resigning before his term ends, in his first public statement since the elections held in early July.
Acknowledging his centrist party’s defeat in the elections, Macron dismissed a bid by a leftist coalition to appoint a new Prime Minister.
Macron stated that his government would remain focused on the Olympic Games in a caretaker capacity until mid-August. Afterward, he would look to appoint a new head of government.
The leftist coalition, New Popular Union, which secured the most seats in the parliament in this month’s elections, proposed Lucie Castet, a financial crime specialist, as their candidate for Prime Minister.
Macron, however, downplayed the importance of her candidacy in a television interview with France 2.
“The name is not the issue. The issue is: what majority can emerge in the National Assembly?” he stated.
He added, “We are not in a position to change things until mid-August, as that would create chaos.”
The upcoming Paris Olympic Games, running from late July to August 11, present significant logistical and security challenges for France, involving 35 venues and around 10,500 athletes.