French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new Prime Minister within the next 48 hours, his office announced on Wednesday, signaling a critical attempt to resolve the nation’s ongoing political crisis. This definitive statement followed the sudden resignation of outgoing premier Sebastien Lecornu, who had served for less than a month after failing to broker a deal on the contentious austerity budget.
Lecornu had resigned early Monday following consternation across the political spectrum over his pro-Macron cabinet appointments, demonstrating the depth of the crisis. Consequently, the intensifying deadlock has now become the worst political challenge Macron has faced since first taking office in 2017.
Technocratic Solution Proposed
During a television interview, Lecornu strongly insisted that Macron should not resign but must serve out his term until 2027, rejecting calls for snap presidential elections. He confirmed that a viable “path was possible” for the government to agree on a budget by the end of the year, despite the severe parliamentary deadlock.
Furthermore, Lecornu recommended Macron choose a more technocratic government whose members possess no political ambitions to stand in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections.
However, the new premier inherits severe instability: far-right leader Marine Le Pen swiftly declared her party would “vote against everything” and thwart all government action. Therefore, political observers emphasize the Socialists’ position could become critical to the new government’s hopes for survival in the fractured parliament.
