Macron admits snap polls 'divisive'

French President Emmanuel Macron used his New Year's address to admit his early election strategy had backfired and to propose referendums to end the country's political stalemate.

Speaking on national television on Tuesday, the president conceded that the snap elections in the summer, following poor European election results, had "brought more divisions in parliament than solutions for the French people".

Macron delivered a humble eight-minute address, saying he had called elections to "let you have your say, to recover clarity and avoid immobilism", reported the French newspaper Le Monde.

"Lucidity and humility compel me to recognize that at this time this decision has caused more instability than serenity and I fully accept my share (of responsibility)," he said.

Political chaos

The elections left France with a divided parliament, leading to political chaos that culminated in members of its parliament, the National Assembly, toppling prime minister Michel Barnier during a December budget debate.

Barnier's successor Francois Bayrou leads an unstable minority coalition of centrists and conservatives, while the 2025 budget remains unapproved.

"The hope, prosperity and peace of the quarter-century to come depend on our choices today, and that's why in 2025… I will ask you to decide on certain crucial issues," Macron said, adding: "We will have choices to make for our economy, our democracy, our security, our children."

According to Macron's aides, this opens the possibility of both referendums and "citizen conventions", which are public assemblies where selected groups of citizens would discuss specific policies and advise the government.

While the French Constitution gives the president power to call referendums, Macron has previously used nonbinding citizen conventions to address social unrest like the yellow vest protests of 2018 and 2019, reported Reuters.

France's Constitution prevents new parliamentary elections before July, while Macron has pledged to complete his presidential mandate through 2027.

Macron urged the public to celebrate France's achievements in 2024, including the Paris Olympics and the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Macron praised national unity, saying French people had been "united, determined, and in solidarity" throughout the year.

On Europe's security, Macron stressed the importance of self-reliance, noting that the continent can no longer delegate its security to other powers.

He also urged Europe to accelerate its efforts to take charge of its defense and border security.

Xinhua contributed to this story.