France pursues a new premier following a coup d'état

In a bid to ease the mounting pressure on his administration, President Emmanuel Macron has announced his intention to quickly appoint a new prime minister for France. The politically divided country is facing a challenge in finding a new leader who can navigate the complex political landscape.

The collapse of the government, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, came after a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly over the austerity budget. Bayrou's resignation is a significant blow to Macron, who had invested considerable effort in the negotiations to find a stable government.

Several potential candidates for the position of prime minister have been mentioned in media outlets. These include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Labor and Health Minister Catherine Vautrin, and Finance and Economy Minister Éric Lombard. Among these, Lecornu, a close ally of Macron, is considered the favorite for the role.

The need for a swift appointment is urgent, as France faces a budget deficit of 5.8 percent, far from the European limit of 3 percent. The EU is closely watching to see if Paris is serious about cutting back. If the situation drags on too long, it could lead to a loss of confidence in the markets, further straining French finances.

Moreover, the country is bracing for nationwide strikes and protests on September 18, with these protests now taking on the scale of a general strike. A call to block the entire country on Wednesday has been circulating in France, with up to 100,000 protesters and dramatic blockades and acts of sabotage expected. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has announced that 80,000 police officers will be deployed for the day.

Macron's decision to appoint a new prime minister instead of calling for new parliamentary elections makes his position clear. By doing so, he aims to avoid being the main focus of the protests and to push forward with the budget and other legislative projects.

The opposition, particularly the leftist party La France Insoumise, has been calling for Macron's resignation since the vote of no confidence. However, Macron is under pressure to act swiftly in appointing a successor and to find a candidate who can balance the interests of both the leftist Socialists and the conservative Republicans.

With the National Assembly politically divided, with three major blocs - Macron's liberals, the left, and the far-right nationalists led by Marine Le Pen, none of which has an outright majority - finding a consensus will not be an easy task. Yet, Macron's appointment of a new prime minister is a crucial step towards stabilising the country and implementing the necessary austerity measures.