French left targets speaker role as struggles to form government

Some lawmakers in France’s left-wing bloc argue that they should aim to secure the speaker’s role to demonstrate their influence over parliament, despite lacking a majority and struggling to form a government after the snap election.

The next key event in France’s political landscape is Thursday, when the newly elected National Assembly will convene for the first time, following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call the vote.

On that day, lawmakers will elect the assembly president, equivalent to a speaker who organizes the chamber’s agenda and conducts debates.

This role is particularly crucial now, as Macron’s position is weakened, parliament is fragmented, and no party or group holds an absolute majority to govern the euro zone’s second-largest economy.

via Reuters