Macron claims he is seeking “the best solution for the country” in talks to appoint a prime minister

Serbia formalizes purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets coinciding with Macron’s visit to Belgrade

Aug. 29 () –

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is making “every effort” to find “the best solution for the country” in a round of consultations with various political parties in view of the future appointment of a new prime minister.

Macron’s refusal to accept any proposal from the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), arguing that it would not in any case have the majority support of the National Assembly despite his electoral victory in July, has further raised political tensions.

In Serbia, Macron has been questioned about this process of contacts and, although he initially said that he preferred not to talk about the subject out of “respect” for his local counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, he did want to defend himself and say that “for weeks” he has been working on this issue in the national interest.

He also said that France still has a government that takes responsibility for all issues, implying that there is no political power vacuum. The current prime minister, Gabriel Attal, an ally of Macron, resigned after his party’s electoral debacle, although he remains in office until further notice.

The French president has not yet set a deadline for revealing the name of the person called to replace Attal and has explained that he will address the French people “in due time.” Meanwhile, various groups are trying to put pressure on Macron: the extreme right is calling for an extraordinary session of the National Assembly and the left is proposing social mobilizations or even a complex process of dismissal of the head of state.

PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT

Macron’s visit to Belgrade served mainly to sign several agreements, including the purchase by Serbia of twelve Rafale fighter jets. For Macron, it represents a demonstration of “a long-term alliance” that Serbia and France are seeking “within a stronger, more sovereign Europe.”

Serbia, the third European country to receive this type of aircraft – after Greece and Croatia – is looking to replace its current fleet, based on Russian-made Migs. Vucic has stressed that this is a “huge” contract and, although the figure has not been officially published, it is estimated to be around 3 billion euros, according to BFM TV.