PARIScTypeface:> French President Emmanuel Macron has said he will not name a new government until after the end of the Paris Olympics.
He rejected an attempt by a left-wing coalition to put forward a little-known civil servant, Lucie Castets, as its candidate for prime minister. The New Popular Front won most seats in this month’s parliamentary elections, but nowhere near enough to form a majority.
"Until mid-August, we’re in no position to change things, because it would create disorder,” said President Macron ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony in the centre of Paris.
Castets called on him to assume his responsibilities and nominate her. Left-wing politicians accused him of trying to "cancel the result of the legislative elections”.
Macron’s centrist alliance suffered heavy losses in the elections, but he asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his ministers to stay on in the form of a caretaker government until replacements could be appointed.
Tuesday night’s interview on French TV and radio was his first since that election defeat. (Agencies)