French President Emmanuel Macron is facing mounting pressure to step down as a majority of the French public expresses growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.

According to a recent Ipsos survey conducted for Le Monde newspaper, 51% of the French population now favors Macron's resignation, while 53% are dissatisfied with his performance in office, as Breitbart reports, representing a damning verdict on his time in power.

The situation is further complicated by political instability in the country, with the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party calling for Macron’s impeachment.

The growing calls for Macron's resignation coincide with a prolonged period of political chaos in France, where nearly two months have passed without a functioning government.

During this time, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has been acting as a caretaker leader, but without legislative power, leaving France in a state of limbo.

Macron's refusal to form a government with the New Popular Front (NFP), a leftist coalition he partnered with to prevent Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) from winning the recent elections, has only deepened the crisis.

Political Instability Fuels Impeachment Calls

The absence of a stable government has fueled the LFI's push for impeachment. The party argues that Macron's actions threaten democracy, citing his refusal to work with the NFP despite their electoral success.

The LFI insists that defending democracy against the president’s "authoritarian leanings" is paramount, and they have called for the president’s removal under Article 68 of the French Constitution. This article allows for the removal of the president for a "breach of duty manifestly incompatible with the exercise of his mandate."

Macron's reluctance to collaborate with the NFP, which won the most seats in the recent elections but not the most votes, has further isolated him politically. Instead of aligning with the NFP, Macron chose to remain without a functioning government, exacerbating the nation's political paralysis.

The NFP, in turn, has urged Macron to appoint Lucie Castets, a socialist economist and former bureaucrat with no elected experience, as the next prime minister. Castets did not participate in the recent elections, adding to the controversy surrounding her potential appointment.

Challenges in the Impeachment Process

The push for impeachment, however, faces significant challenges. The French Constitution lacks clarity on the procedures for a hung parliament or impeachment processes, leaving room for legal and political maneuvering. Article 68, which is being invoked by the LFI, was amended in 2007 to expand grounds for impeachment beyond "high treason," but the exact criteria remain vague. This ambiguity could complicate efforts to remove Macron from office.

Additionally, the LFI would need to secure two-thirds of the combined votes from the National Assembly and the Senate to successfully impeach Macron. Given the current political landscape, this is a daunting task, and it remains uncertain whether the LFI can garner the necessary support.

Macron's Political Maneuvering Under Scrutiny

Macron's political strategy has come under intense scrutiny as he navigates the fallout from the elections. His decision to partner with the NFP was initially seen as a pragmatic move to block Le Pen's far-right RN from gaining power. However, his refusal to form a government with the NFP, despite their success at the polls, has led to accusations of political opportunism and a disregard for democratic norms.

The NFP, despite winning the most seats, did not secure the most votes in the elections, with Le Pen's RN receiving the highest number of votes. This outcome has left France in a precarious position, with no clear majority and no functioning government to address the pressing issues facing the nation.

France's Constitutional Ambiguities Highlighted

The current crisis has also highlighted the ambiguities within the French Constitution, particularly concerning the impeachment process and the handling of a hung parliament. Before the 2007 amendment, impeachment was only possible for "high treason," but the expanded grounds now include breaches of duty incompatible with the president's mandate. However, the lack of clarity on what constitutes such a breach leaves room for interpretation and potential legal challenges.

As the political turmoil continues, there is growing concern about the future of French democracy and the stability of the government. The absence of a functioning government, coupled with the calls for Macron's resignation and the potential for impeachment, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and unease.

The Road Ahead for Macron and France

Moving forward, Macron faces a difficult road ahead. The pressure to resign is mounting, and the LFI's push for impeachment adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The lack of a clear path forward, both legally and politically, makes it difficult to predict how this crisis will unfold.

For now, Macron remains in office, but the political landscape in France is anything but stable. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether Macron can weather this storm or if he will be forced to step down in the face of growing public and political pressure.