Editorial: El País

• Three months have passed since Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly dissolved the National Assembly and called legislative elections after a defeat in the European elections.
• Macron's influence in the National Assembly has been irretrievably diluted and the current caretaker government is the longest in the history of the Fifth Republic.
• The Assembly has three evenly matched blocks and none has an absolute majority. Negotiations to form government coalitions are at a standstill.
• Mélenchon has proposed a government without LFI ministers in exchange for it being presided over by his candidate, Lucie Castets. Macron has ruled out Castets, earning criticism.
• Macron's movement is in retreat and he has no power to impose a name on the new prime minister.
• The left must recognise that they cannot demand a government that applies their full programme. To pact means to give in.

Conclusion: The political stalemate in France is apparent with a divided Assembly and a lack of tradition of governing coalitions. Macron needs to accept his diminished position and engage with the negotiating positions of the left. France needs clear leadership at a time of political crisis.

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