French PM Attal resigns but will remain in caretaker role amid political deadlock
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00:00Smiling wide, Gabriel Attal left the cabinet meeting relieved of most of his duties and
00:07so did his government.
00:09After President Emmanuel Macron accepted his Prime Minister's resignation on Tuesday, France
00:14is now being run by a caretaker government with limited powers.
00:19Attal sought to reassure the French, saying he and his ministers had prepared for the
00:24upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in advance.
00:28If there's a crisis, obviously the government can take all the decisions and measures necessary
00:33to protect the French people, public order and security.
00:36What we cannot do, on the other hand, is take new political initiatives, initiate reforms,
00:41submit a bill.
00:42That's not possible.
00:45In past examples, French caretaker governments have only lasted a matter of days.
00:51It's unclear how long this one will stay in place.
00:54The country plunged into political uncertainty after parliamentary elections on July 7.
01:00In a statement, the Elysee Palace said, for this period to come to an end as quickly as
01:04possible, it's up to Republican forces to work together to build unity, referring to
01:10mainstream political parties but excluding the far-right National Rally and far-left
01:15France Unbowed.
01:17The latter makes up part of the four-party alliance the New Popular Front, which won
01:22the most seats in parliament, though not enough for a majority.
01:26Since the elections, the left has been scrambling to find a consensus candidate for prime minister.
01:32On Monday, France Unbowed suspended negotiations with its partners, accusing the socialists
01:37of vetoing anyone they put forward.
01:40According to France Unbowed head Manuel Bompard, the New Popular Front has instead agreed upon
01:46a candidate for National Assembly president after the chamber allocates this and other
01:51top jobs on Thursday.
01:52He said talks would resume on finding a candidate for prime minister.