The French President addressed the nation for the first time since his side’s defeat in the parliamentary elections, three days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. In this interview, broadcast on France 2 on July 23, Emmanuel Macron addressed several key issues

No new government before “mid-August”. Emmanuel Macron announced that he would not name a new government before the end of the Olympic Games. “Until mid-August, our priority is to focus on the Games. Then, depending on how the discussions evolve, I will appoint a Prime Minister or a Prime Minister,” he explained.

The President urged the parties forming the “Republican Front” to rise to the occasion and seek compromise. He also ruled out any possibility of resignation, affirming his intention to see his mandate through to the end.

Macron rules out left-wing candidacy. Prior to the interview, the New Popular Front had proposed Lucie Castets, a senior civil servant from Paris, as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Emmanuel Macron immediately rejected this proposal, arguing that the Nouveau Front Populaire did not have a majority in the Assembly. “The question is not a name, but what majority can emerge in the Assembly,” he declared.

National Assembly: “no sub-deputies” RN. The President expressed his disagreement with the lack of representation of the Rassemblement National on the bureau of the National Assembly, asserting that their elected representatives have “legitimacy” and that “there are no sub-deputies”. He said he was “shocked” by the refusal of left-wing deputies to shake hands with the young RN deputy, Flavien Termet, during the vote for the presidency of the Assembly.

Opening ceremony on the Seine confirmed. Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will be held on the Seine, as originally planned. “All the security checks have been carried out, a huge amount of work has been done. It will be a unique ceremony,” he said, paying tribute to the organizers and security services.

France aims for “top 5” medals. The President underlined the massive investments made in French sport over the past seven years, particularly in support of top-level athletes. He expressed his wish for France to be among the top five nations in the medal table at the Olympic Games.

Céline Dion at the opening ceremony? Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of Céline Dion’s presence at the opening ceremony, describing the news as “wonderful”. “I would be immensely happy if she could be present, like all our compatriots,” he declared, while keeping his schedule a secret.

Israeli athletes “welcome”. Finally, Emmanuel Macron affirmed that Israeli athletes would be welcome and should be able to compete under their colors, in response to a recent controversy.