French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is in talks to establish a new government following the loss of a crucial political supporter. The urgency stems from an impending budget deadline. France has been grappling with political turmoil since President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections last year in an attempt to consolidate power. However, the outcome was a hung parliament and gains for the far right.
Lecornu was reinstated by Macron just four days after his initial resignation and the collapse of his previous government. This move sparked backlash from opponents who have vowed to challenge any new cabinet. Lecornu, a former defense minister, now faces the task of forming a government to present a draft budget for 2026 before the looming Tuesday deadline. This timeline allows for the requisite 70-day parliamentary review of the plan before the year concludes.
However, the right-wing Republicans (LR) dealt a setback to Lecornu’s efforts by announcing their decision not to participate in the new government, opting instead to collaborate on a case-by-case basis. Lecornu has expressed his commitment to collaborating with all mainstream political factions, emphasizing his intention to appoint cabinet members who are not beholden to specific parties.
President Macron, confronting one of the most significant domestic challenges since the start of his presidency in 2017, is yet to address the public following the collapse of Lecornu’s previous government. Lecornu’s reinstallation occurs amidst a backdrop of political gridlock in France and a parliamentary stalemate concerning an austerity budget in light of escalating public debt.