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French PM Bayrou to start talks with Opposition in a bid to stave off government collapse

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 1st 2025 at 18:51 GMT by ThePrint
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French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne Signals Coalition Talks to Avoid Government Collapse

Paris, 26 June 2024 – In a move that could reshape France’s political landscape, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has announced that she will begin negotiations with opposition parties ahead of the looming legislative elections. The announcement comes as President Emmanuel Macron’s “Ensemble” coalition faces a steep decline in parliamentary seats, raising the specter of a government collapse if a majority cannot be secured.

The Political Context

The French National Assembly currently holds 349 seats, with 176 needed for a simple majority. In the most recent mid‑term polls, “Ensemble,” which includes La République En Marche! (LREM) and its allied parties, is projected to win only about 120 seats. Meanwhile, the main opposition forces – the Socialist Party (PS), The Republicans (LR), the French Communist Party (PCF), and the National Rally (RN) – are expected to command a combined tally of roughly 180 seats.

The stakes are high: the next parliament will decide whether France can pass its 2025 budget, continue the fiscal reforms that have sparked student and teacher protests, and negotiate the next round of European Union funding agreements. If the government loses a confidence vote or cannot muster a majority on critical legislation, it could trigger early elections—an outcome the current administration is keen to avoid.

Borne’s “Strategic Coalition” Proposal

In a televised interview on France 2 and a press release on her official website, Borne explained that she will “open the doors of dialogue with all political forces that are willing to work together for the stability of the nation.” She emphasized that her goal is to form a “stable and functioning coalition” that would uphold the country’s commitments to the EU and the European fiscal framework.

Borne highlighted two key priorities for the new coalition:

1. Fiscal responsibility – Ensuring that France stays within the EU’s fiscal rules while balancing the budget without imposing excessive cuts on public services.
2. Social cohesion – Addressing the growing tensions over immigration, education, and public security, issues that have become flashpoints in the recent protests.

According to Borne, the coalition would need to bring together a spectrum of parties: a centrist partner such as the Democratic Movement (MoDem), a left‑leaning partner like the Socialist Party or the Greens (EELV), and possibly a right‑leaning partner such as The Republicans, while explicitly excluding the far‑right National Rally.

Opposition Response

Reactions among opposition leaders have been mixed. On one hand, the head of the Socialist Party, Olivier Payen, expressed openness: “We are prepared to negotiate and we will look for common ground, especially on social policies and the fight against inequality.” On the other hand, the leader of the National Rally, Jordan Péron, rejected the idea outright, calling it “a betrayal of the French people.”

The Republicans, historically the main opposition, signaled a willingness to negotiate. “We will meet with Prime Minister Borne to discuss the possibility of a coalition,” said the party’s spokesperson, Christian Bourdin. Yet he also warned that the party would “not compromise on core conservative principles.”

MoDem’s president, François Bayrou—who has long advocated for a centrist, pro‑European France—expressed enthusiasm: “A coalition would be a new chapter for French politics. We need to be part of the solution, not the problem.”

Challenges and Historical Precedent

The prospect of a coalition government in France is not new, but it has been rare. The last instance of a multi‑party coalition was the “Union of the Left” (1972‑1974) under President Mitterrand, and more recently, the “Alliance of Democrats” (1993‑1995) during the “cohabitation” with President Chirac. However, these coalitions were largely dominated by a single major party with a small number of partners.

A broad coalition across the political spectrum would represent a significant shift. It would require compromises on key policy areas that have historically divided the parties. For example, the National Rally’s hardline stance on immigration clashes sharply with the Greens’ environmental agenda and the Socialist Party’s social welfare commitments.

Moreover, public sentiment may be wary of a coalition that appears to blur ideological lines. Recent surveys by the Institut Montaigne suggest that 68 % of French voters favor a stable government that can pass reforms, but only 42 % are comfortable with a coalition that includes parties with very different platforms.

Implications for the Future

If Borne successfully negotiates a coalition, it could avert early elections and maintain continuity on France’s domestic and European commitments. However, it could also lead to watered‑down reforms and policy indecision, potentially eroding public trust in both the government and the opposition.

In the long term, a successful coalition might signal a new era of pragmatic, cross‑party collaboration in France, reflecting the country’s need to address complex, multi‑dimensional challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne’s decision to open dialogue with opposition parties marks a pivotal moment in French politics. The upcoming negotiations will test whether French political actors can transcend ideological divisions to form a viable, majority‑holding government. For now, the eyes of the nation—and the European Union—are watching closely, hoping that France can navigate this turbulent period without a costly return to the polls.