Macron calls for unity as France faces political crisis

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Transcript

00:00We can't allow ourselves to be divided or to do nothing.

00:05In a defiant address to the nation tonight, France's President Emmanuel Macron is appealing

00:10for unity.

00:12That's why I'll name a prime minister in the coming days.

00:14I will ask them to form a government in the general interest, representing all the political

00:19parties who can participate in it, or at least who agree not to bring it down.

00:24And blaming the irresponsible hard left and hard right for choosing chaos after a vote

00:28of no confidence led to Prime Minister Michel Barnier's resignation, marking the first time

00:33a French government has been toppled in more than 60 years.

00:39I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French

00:44with dignity.

00:46Now for the second time since his party's losses in July's legislative elections, President

00:50Macron must find a replacement capable of leading a minority government in a parliament

00:55where no party holds a majority.

00:57Under the French Constitution, a new election is not an option until July at the earliest.

01:02But Macron is keen to appoint a successor quickly, ideally before Saturday's ceremony

01:06to reopen the Notre Dame Cathedral, where President-elect Trump will also be in attendance.

01:13France has both a prime minister and president, making Macron in control of foreign policy

01:17and defense, while the prime minister is in control of domestic policy and runs day-to-day

01:22governing.

01:23But for now, the political turmoil continues, as many opposition politicians want Macron

01:27to resign too, something he has insisted is off the table.

01:32The mandate you democratically gave me is a five-year mandate, and I will carry it out

01:37fully until the end.

01:39Barnier and his government are set to stay until a new government has been formed, but

01:44names for a new prime minister are already swirling.

01:47In London, Stephanie Bennett, Fox News.