PARIS (AP) 鈥� French President vowed Thursday to stay in office until the end of his term, due in 2027, and announced that he will name a new prime minister within days in efforts to overcome the political deadlock following the resignation of .
Macron came out fighting a day after a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes at the National Assembly left France without a functioning government. He laid blame at the door of his opponents on the far right for bringing down Barnier's government.
鈥淭hey chose disorder,鈥� he said.
The president said the far right and the far left had united in what he called 鈥渁n anti-Republican front鈥� and stressed: 鈥淚 won鈥檛 shoulder other people鈥檚 irresponsibility.鈥�
He said he鈥檇 name a new prime minister within days but gave no hints as to who that might be.
Earlier in the day, Macron 鈥渢ook note鈥� of after just three months in office 鈥� the in modern French history.
Macron acknowledges his own responsibility
While critical of his political opponents, Macron also acknowledged what he described as his own responsibility in the chaos now shaking French politics and alarming financial markets.
He revisited his decision in June to dissolve parliament. That precipitated the crisis, leading to , divided between three minority blocs that do not have enough seats to govern alone.
鈥淚 do recognize that this decision wasn鈥檛 understood. Many criticized me for it,鈥� Macron said. However, he argued, 鈥淚 believe it was necessary鈥� to let French voters speak.
The next priority is to pass a budget law
Macron said the new prime minister 鈥渨ill be charged with forming a government of general interest."
He confirmed that a special law will be presented by mid-December to enable the state to levy taxes from Jan. 1, based on this year鈥檚 rules, and avoid a shutdown.
鈥淧ublic services will be operational, businesses will be able to work,鈥� he said.
The new government will then prepare a budget law for 2025, which will allow France to invest as planned in its military, its justice and police 鈥� and also to support struggling farmers, Macron said.
How to achieve 鈥榯he impossible鈥�
Along with its own domestic political and financial difficulties 鈥� not least France鈥檚 ballooning levels of debt 鈥� Macron noted that the country faces multiple international challenges, citing the .
He looked back at the Paris Olympics in July-August and ahead to the reopening this weekend of , arguing that France can emerge from this latest political crisis if it sets its mind on it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 proof that we know how to do great things, that we know how to achieve the impossible," he said.
"Twice this year, the world has admired us for this,鈥� he said, referring to the hosting of the Olympics and the restoration of Notre Dame. 鈥淲ell, for the nation, we must do same thing.鈥�
Pressure to act swiftly
Macron faces the critical task of naming a replacement for Barnier capable of leading a minority government in a parliament where no party holds a majority. Ya毛l Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly and a member of Macron鈥檚 party, urged the president to move quickly.
鈥淚 recommend he decide rapidly on a new prime minister,鈥� Braun-Pivet said Thursday on France Inter radio. 鈥淭here must not be any political hesitation. We need a leader who can speak to everyone and work to pass a new budget bill.鈥�
The process may prove challenging. French media have reported a shortlist of centrist candidates who might appeal to both sides of the political spectrum.
Calls for Macron to step down
The no-confidence vote has galvanized opposition leaders, with some explicitly calling for Macron鈥檚 resignation.
鈥淚 believe that stability requires the departure of the President of the Republic,鈥� Manuel Bompard, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, said on BFM TV Wednesday night.
Far-right National Rally leader , whose party holds the most seats in the Assembly, stopped short of calling for Macron鈥檚 resignation but warned that 鈥渢he pressure on the President of the Republic will get stronger and stronger.鈥�
The French constitution does not call for a president to resign after his government was ousted by the National Assembly. It also says that new legislative elections cannot be held until at least July, creating a potential stalemate for policymakers.
Economic uncertainty looms
The political instability has heightened concerns about , which could rise to 7% of GDP next year without significant reforms.
Analysts say that Barnier's government downfall could push up French interest rates, digging the debt even further.
Rating agency Moody鈥檚 warned late Wednesday that the government鈥檚 fall 鈥渞educes the likelihood of consolidating public finances鈥� and worsens the political gridlock.
Teachers' protest takes a political tone
A planned protest by teachers against budget cuts in education took on a new tone Thursday, as demonstrators in Paris linked their demands to the political crisis.
鈥淢acron quit!鈥� read a sign held by Dylan Quenon, a 28-year-old teacher at a middle school in Aubervilliers, just north of Paris.
Quenon said Macron bears responsibility for what he described as the dismantling of public services such as schools. 鈥淭he only way for this to change is to have him out of office,鈥� he said.
Protesters expressed little hope that Macron鈥檚 next appointee would reverse course.
鈥淚鈥檓 glad this government is falling, but it could possibly lead to something even worse,鈥� said 脡lise De La Gorce, a 33-year-old teacher in Stains, north of Paris.
Tom Nouvian, Sylvie Corbet And John Leicester, The Associated Press
