French President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new Prime Minister for France "within 48 hours", party chiefs who met him Tuesday told AFP after a bid to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier.

French President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new Prime Minister for France "within 48 hours", party chiefs who met him Tuesday told AFP after a bid to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier. The president invited leaders from across the political spectrum, leaving out the far-right National Rally (RN) and hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) who hold the key to France's hung parliament. Macron's initiative came as caretaker ministers scrambled to clarify France's 2025 finances after the last administration fell over its cost-cutting budget. Barnier had been supported by the conservative Republicans and Macron's centrist camp. Watch | Netanyahu Takes Witness Stand in Trial For Alleged Corruption But the alliance was far short of a National Assembly majority and was brought down by the united left, including LFI, and Marine Le Pen's RN. It was unclear how a broader base of support could be built for any new government. Most leaders are unwilling to compromise on issues such as last year's widely-loathed pension reform or to tarnish their electoral image by cooperating with the unpopular president. "We would prefer the debate not continue under (Macron's) auspices for a simple reason because he is not in a position today to be the referee," Socialist Party chief Olivier Faure had said as he arrived. "Further discussions should instead take place at the National Assembly," Greens boss Marine Tondelier added. Even some in Macron's camp were sceptical. "He's got it wrong, it's not up to him to form a majority, it's up to his prime minister," one long-time Macron backer told AFP on condition of anonymity. 'Promise again betrayed' There is little hope for a quick resolution to the crisis. The Greens have ruled out joining a "national interest" government while the Socialists said they would only serve under a left-wing premier -- which has been ruled out by conservatives. Bringing together so many parties did mark progress from Macron's first attempt to reach consensus after July's snap election, commentator Guillaume Tabard wrote in the conservative daily Le Figaro. "But if even a minimal deal is to be found ranging from the Republicans to the Communists, it will require an enormous labour of negotiation that will take days or weeks," he added. Outside the talks, the RN again hailed its position as a political outsider. Le Pen said she relished being awarded the "medal of the opposition" while mainstream parties held "a banquet to share out jobs" in government. And LFI warned its left-wing allies that they would face consequences if they broke away. "Who thinks they can win a single seat without us?" party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told AFP and other media in Redon, northwestern France. Also read | Rajnath Singh in Russia: Indian defence minister meets Russian President Putin LFI struck seat-by-seat deals with the Greens, Communists and Socialists for July's election to make sure left-wing candidates made it into second-round run-off votes. Taxes and borrowing In an apparent acknowledgement that progress will be slow, Macron's office said a special budget law to allow the French state to keep functioning would be presented on Wednesday. With a budget deficit forecast to top six per cent of GDP this year, France is the worst performer at reining in spending aside from Romania among the 27 EU nations -- who are nominally committed to keeping their deficits below three per cent. Lawmakers will debate the bill on December 16, the Parliamentary Relations Ministry said, with most parties saying they will back it to maintain stability. Its three measures include authorising the government to continue collecting existing taxes until a new budget is passed by parliament, a ministerial source told AFP. Also read | Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year is 'polarisation' The state and the social security system will also be allowed to continue borrowing on financial markets to avoid any interruption of payments, the source added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Macron aims to pick new French PM 'within 48 hours'

The French parliament descended into chaos after a far-right lawmaker shouted "They should go back to Africa" when his Black colleague started speaking about immigration during the session.

Grégoire de Fournas, the parliamentary representative from the National Rally (RN) party, was censured by the speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, after he interrupted Carlos Martens Bilongo, a representative from the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI).

The incident happened when Bilongo was questioning the French government about a request by the SOS Méditerranée non-governmental organisation for help in finding a port for 234 migrants rescued at sea in recent days.

After de Fournas made the remark, Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet demanded to know who had spoken. Then, as MPs chanted "Out! Out! Out!", she suspended the session, saying, "This is not possible”, reports BBC.

The Parliament would be convened again on Friday to decide "necessary sanction" against de Fournas.

Bilongo later condemned his fellow lawmaker’s remarks while speaking to reporters, saying, “Today, some people once again put my skin colour at the centre of a debate. I’m born in France and I am a French lawmaker and I didn’t think that today I will be insulted [like this] at the National Assembly.”

Watch |&nbsp;France protests: Thousands strike in France demanding higher wages, clash with police

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De Fournas clarified that his words were taken out of context as he was speaking about the "boat transporting migrants to Europe" and later sought forgiveness from LFI MP for "the misunderstanding" his comments had caused and if he had been hurt by them.

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The leader of RN’s party, Marine Le Pen, expressed support for de Fournas in a tweet.

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“Grégoire de Fournas obviously spoke about the migrants transported in boats by the NGOs that our colleague mentioned in his question to the government. The polemic created by our political opponents is crude and will not deceive the French,” she said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne told reports after the session that “racism has no place in our democracy.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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The French parliament descended into chaos after a far-right lawmaker shouted "They should go back to Africa" when his Black colleague started speaking about immigration during the session.

The French parliament descended into chaos after a far-right lawmaker shouted "They should go back to Africa" when his Black colleague started speaking about immigration during the session. Grégoire de Fournas, the parliamentary representative from the National Rally (RN) party, was censured by the speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, after he interrupted Carlos Martens Bilongo, a representative from the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI). The incident happened when Bilongo was questioning the French government about a request by the SOS Méditerranée non-governmental organisation for help in finding a port for 234 migrants rescued at sea in recent days. After de Fournas made the remark, Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet demanded to know who had spoken. Then, as MPs chanted "Out! Out! Out!", she suspended the session, saying, "This is not possible”, reports BBC. The Parliament would be convened again on Friday to decide "necessary sanction" against de Fournas. Bilongo later condemned his fellow lawmaker’s remarks while speaking to reporters, saying, “Today, some people once again put my skin colour at the centre of a debate. I’m born in France and I am a French lawmaker and I didn’t think that today I will be insulted [like this] at the National Assembly.” Watch | France protests: Thousands strike in France demanding higher wages, clash with police De Fournas clarified that his words were taken out of context as he was speaking about the "boat transporting migrants to Europe" and later sought forgiveness from LFI MP for "the misunderstanding" his comments had caused and if he had been hurt by them. Also read | Twitter set to begin mass layoffs Friday, will notify staff via email The leader of RN’s party, Marine Le Pen, expressed support for de Fournas in a tweet. Also read | North Korea fired at least 80 artillery rounds into the sea, says South Korea “Grégoire de Fournas obviously spoke about the migrants transported in boats by the NGOs that our colleague mentioned in his question to the government. The polemic created by our political opponents is crude and will not deceive the French,” she said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne told reports after the session that “racism has no place in our democracy.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Go back to Africa’: French parliament suspended after MP hurls racist remarks  

President Emmanuel Macron named Elisabeth Borne as the new prime minister of France on Monday. The former labour minister is the first woman to head the French government in over 30 years.

Who is Elisabeth Borne? 
&nbsp; 
Borne, 61, had earlier held the post of transport minister and minister of ecological transition under Macron. Borne was appointed after Jean Castex resigned.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-emmanuel-macron-names-elisabeth-borne-as-frances-new-prime-minister-479690">Also Read:&nbsp;Macron names Elisabeth Borne as France's new prime minister</a>

Borne was born in Paris in 1961 and graduated as a civil engineer in 1981 and has an MBA degree.&nbsp;The new French prime minister was earlier involved in urban planning in the French capital.

She has been a member of the Socialist Party and is seen as a tough negotiator. The last time a woman held the post was in 1991 when Edith Cresson headed the cabinet from May 1991 to April 1992 under President Francois Mitterrand.

Watch:&nbsp;Burkini once again sparks national debate in France

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Borne's policies and actions

The new prime minister had earlier pushed for cycle-friendly policies in France and is reportedly against raising minimum wages in France. She is known for taking a tough stand on climate&nbsp;and ecological issues.&nbsp;

A technocrat, Borne has never run for public office. She has prioritised education, employment, democratic revival, Europe and security as her main plan of action.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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President Emmanuel Macron named Elisabeth Borne as the new prime minister of France on Monday. The former labour minister is the first woman to head the French government in over 30 years.

President Emmanuel Macron named Elisabeth Borne as the new prime minister of France on Monday. The former labour minister is the first woman to head the French government in over 30 years. Who is Elisabeth Borne? Borne, 61, had earlier held the post of transport minister and minister of ecological transition under Macron. Borne was appointed after Jean Castex resigned. Also Read: Macron names Elisabeth Borne as France's new prime minister Borne was born in Paris in 1961 and graduated as a civil engineer in 1981 and has an MBA degree. The new French prime minister was earlier involved in urban planning in the French capital. She has been a member of the Socialist Party and is seen as a tough negotiator. The last time a woman held the post was in 1991 when Edith Cresson headed the cabinet from May 1991 to April 1992 under President Francois Mitterrand. Watch: Burkini once again sparks national debate in France Borne's policies and actions The new prime minister had earlier pushed for cycle-friendly policies in France and is reportedly against raising minimum wages in France. She is known for taking a tough stand on climate and ecological issues. A technocrat, Borne has never run for public office. She has prioritised education, employment, democratic revival, Europe and security as her main plan of action. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Macron names new French prime minister: Who is Elisabeth Borne?

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Saturday the government would keep "fighting relentlessly" against radical Islam as he paid tribute to the three victims of a knife attack in the southern city of Nice last month.

A Tunisian man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the coastal city on Oct. 29 before being shot and taken away by police.

"We know the enemy. Not only has it been identified, but it has a name, it is radical Islam, a political ideology that disfigures the Muslim religion," Castex said in a speech during the ceremony.

"(It is) an enemy that the government is fighting relentlessly by providing the necessary resources and mobilising all of its forces everyday," he added.

The Nice attack followed the beheading of a schoolteacher in a suburb of Paris on Oct. 16 by a Chechen-born man who was apparently incensed by the teacher showing a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in class.

The attack in Nice took place amid worldwide Muslim anger over France's defence of the right to publish cartoons depicting the prophet.

A 21-year-old man recently arrived from Tunisia, suspected of being the Nice attacker, is still in a critical condition after being shot by municipal police and was transferred to a Paris hospital on Friday.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Saturday the government would keep "fighting relentlessly" against radical Islam as he paid tribute to the three victims of a knife attack in the southern city of Nice last month.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Saturday the government would keep "fighting relentlessly" against radical Islam as he paid tribute to the three victims of a knife attack in the southern city of Nice last month. A Tunisian man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the coastal city on Oct. 29 before being shot and taken away by police. "We know the enemy. Not only has it been identified, but it has a name, it is radical Islam, a political ideology that disfigures the Muslim religion," Castex said in a speech during the ceremony. "(It is) an enemy that the government is fighting relentlessly by providing the necessary resources and mobilising all of its forces everyday," he added. The Nice attack followed the beheading of a schoolteacher in a suburb of Paris on Oct. 16 by a Chechen-born man who was apparently incensed by the teacher showing a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in class. The attack in Nice took place amid worldwide Muslim anger over France's defence of the right to publish cartoons depicting the prophet. A 21-year-old man recently arrived from Tunisia, suspected of being the Nice attacker, is still in a critical condition after being shot by municipal police and was transferred to a Paris hospital on Friday.

French PM vows to fight radical Islam in tribute to attack victims

The French Prime Minister&nbsp;Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement.

Castex went through a test for COVID-19 after he came in contact with&nbsp;in contact with the boss of Tour de France, who had tested positive for coronavirus.

However, Castex will go through another test after seven days to be sure, as the experts believe it may take time for symptoms to show, in some cases. He will also be self-quarantining himself till then.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-pm-to-have-covid-test-after-contact-at-tour-de-france-326032">Also read:&nbsp;French PM to have COVID test after contact at Tour de France</a>

He&nbsp;"will nevertheless continue to respect the (social distancing) rules, notably by staying at Matignon (office building of the French prime minister) till D+7," his office statement read. He will, however, continue performing his duties while in quarantine.

Castex took the coronavirus test after the&nbsp;Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme and him shared a car ride, before&nbsp;Prudhomme tested positive.

On Tuesday, 6,544 new confirmed infection cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 335,524, while the total deaths since the outbreak of the epidemic went up by 39 to 30,764, according to the data released by the health ministry.

The French Prime Minister Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday. "The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement.

The French Prime Minister Jean Castex has tested negative for novel coronavirus, his office reported on Tuesday. "The test undergone today by the Prime Minister, who does not present any symptom, is negative," his office issued a statement. Castex went through a test for COVID-19 after he came in contact with in contact with the boss of Tour de France, who had tested positive for coronavirus. However, Castex will go through another test after seven days to be sure, as the experts believe it may take time for symptoms to show, in some cases. He will also be self-quarantining himself till then. Also read: French PM to have COVID test after contact at Tour de France He "will nevertheless continue to respect the (social distancing) rules, notably by staying at Matignon (office building of the French prime minister) till D+7," his office statement read. He will, however, continue performing his duties while in quarantine. Castex took the coronavirus test after the Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme and him shared a car ride, before Prudhomme tested positive. On Tuesday, 6,544 new confirmed infection cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative total to 335,524, while the total deaths since the outbreak of the epidemic went up by 39 to 30,764, according to the data released by the health ministry.