Macron's move will be seen as damaging to Hollande, who is already suffering poor showings in popularity ratings and major opposition to his unpopular labor reforms. The move is also likely to spark rumors that Macron is looking for greater political ambitions, ahead of the French presidential elections in 2017.
The 38-year old launched the new party — called 'En marche!' (Forward) — in Amiens, northern France saying:
"It will be neither left nor right. This is not a movement set up for the presidency, that's not my priority today. My priority is the situation the country is facing now.
"I'm in a left-wing government, unashamedly,… but I also want to work with people from the right, who commit to the same values. This ambition, it's radical, it's a bit crazy, but there is such an energy in the country," he said in a launch video.
He got a strong warning from Socialist party chief Jean-Christophe Cambadelis, who told Les Echos newspaper Thursday:
"He can choose his camp. If he wants to change the left's center of gravity, he's going the wrong way."
The move comes at a time of great political change in France, with the traditional two-party system — the Socialists and Republicans — being threatened by a rise in support for the right-wing Front National Party, led by Marine le Pen, who is bidding for the presidency next year.
Emmanuel #Macron creates his own political movement. #EnMarche. Soon a #EuropeanMovement? #EspoirMajeur. https://t.co/fJzB4eNYrJ
— Henrik Enderlein (@henrikenderlein) April 6, 2016
Hollande Under Fire
Hollande is already under fire for failing to get to grips with the French economy which has seen slow growth and high unemployment — particularly among the young, which stands at 24 percent. In an attempt to boost productivity, Hollande and his Prime Minister Manuel Valls had been hoping for fundamental reforms to the highly codified French labor rules.
The labor reforms were largely directed at making companies take on more workers on permanent contracts, rather than temporary ones, to bring down the unemployment rate from ten percent. The proposals would give employers more scope to lay off workers and cut costs and allow some employees to work far longer than the current 35-hour week. However, they have been met with widespread opposition, with mass demonstrations in many French cities over the past few months.
Meanwhile, at regional elections in December, Hollande's party lost 2.5m votes compared to 2010, and only won control of five of the regions because of tactical voting designed to keep out the Front National.
