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François Hollande Urges Macron to Finish Term, Opposes Dissolution Amid 61% Favoring Resignation

Jan 5, 2025, 09:01 AM

Former French President François Hollande has stated that President Emmanuel Macron should complete his term to avoid a major institutional crisis. In an interview with Ouest-France, Hollande emphasized the importance of respecting electoral timelines and opposed speculation about Macron's early departure, which has been fueled by figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen. Recent polls indicate that 61% of French citizens favor Macron's resignation. Hollande noted that despite numerous criticisms against Macron, his resignation would lead to significant institutional turmoil. He also dismissed the idea of new legislative elections, arguing that a dissolution within six months would not yield a different Assembly from the current one, which is divided into three blocs without a majority. Hollande, who was re-elected as a deputy in Corrèze last July, suggested that the new government led by François Bayrou could last until 2027, provided it makes significant gestures on issues like pensions and fiscal justice to avoid censure motions. Additionally, Hollande expressed a desire to see a revitalized Socialist Party, independent from La France insoumise and capable of welcoming social-democratic figures like Bernard Cazeneuve and Raphaël Glucksmann. He called for a party congress to be held before summer to set the party's direction and prepare for 2027.