French President Emmanuel Macron rejected calls for his resignation on Tuesday, December 3, dismissing them as “political fiction” amid rising tensions and an upcoming no-confidence vote.
During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Macron criticized the idea of stepping down, calling it “not up to scratch.” He emphasized, “It doesn’t make sense. I was elected twice by the French people, and I’m proud of that. I will honor this trust with all my energy until the last second to serve the country,” adding that his term runs until 2027.
Macron’s comments come ahead of a no-confidence vote set for December 4, which threatens Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration. Opposition figures, along with some from within Macron’s own political camp, have suggested his resignation might be necessary to resolve the political gridlock.
Macron criticized Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally for their “unbearable cynicism” in supporting the motion, and expressed confidence in the economy. He dismissed fears, saying, “We have a strong economy,” and voiced optimism that the motion would fail. Despite analysts predicting a potential alliance between left and far-right factions, Macron remained hopeful that his government would survive the challenge.
