French PM Races to Form Government Ahead of Budget Deadline

France’s newly reappointed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, scrambled on Saturday to get an austerity budget approved, as growing opposition threatened to topple him again, following a first term that lasted just 27 days.

President Emmanuel Macron announced Lecornu’s reinstatement late on Friday, only four days after the prime minister resigned and his previously announced government collapsed.

The move sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with multiple parties pledging to vote against the new government at the earliest opportunity.

In an effort to form a longer-lasting government, Lecornu pledged on Saturday to:

• Work with all mainstream political movements.
• Select cabinet members not constrained by party allegiances.

He told La Tribune that he resigned initially “because the conditions were no longer met”, and would do so again if necessary.

“I won’t do anything foolish,” he said, with the newspaper reporting that a new cabinet could be announced on Monday or Tuesday.

Lecornu’s reappointment comes amid parliamentary deadlock and opposition to a cost-cutting budget amid rising public debt.

He must form a cabinet to present the 2026 draft budget.

Lecornu indicated that “all debates are possible” regarding the pension reforms, stressing that his “only ambition is to get out of this situation that is painful for everyone”.

Budget Deadline Pressures

• France has been in political gridlock since Macron’s snap polls last year failed to deliver a majority, resulting in a hung parliament and gains for the far right.
• The EU is pressuring France to curb its deficit and debt, and the failure to pass cost-cutting measures previously toppled Lecornu’s two predecessors.
• Lecornu pledged to do “everything possible” to deliver a budget by the end of the year, describing restoring public finances as a priority.
• The government faces constitutional constraints, requiring 70 days of parliamentary examination before year-end approval.

Cabinet Formation and Political Dynamics

• Lecornu, a Macron loyalist and former defence minister, agreed to stay two extra days after resigning to negotiate with all political parties.
• He believes a revised draft budget for 2026 could be presented on Monday, meeting the deadline for approval by year-end.
• He warned that any prospective ministers “must commit to setting aside presidential ambitions” for the 2027 elections.

The suggested ministerial list a week ago faced criticism for not breaking sufficiently with the past. Lecornu subsequently emphasised that the cabinet should include technocrats.

In an unprecedented intervention, former premier Edouard Philippe, a 2027 presidential contender, called for Macron to step down after the budget is passed, though Macron has insisted he will serve his full term.

Far-Right Calculations

• The National Rally sees the current crisis as its best chance to win power in the 2027 presidential vote.
• Marine Le Pen, three-time presidential candidate, is barred from running due to a corruption conviction.
• Jordan Bardella, 30-year-old lieutenant of Le Pen, is viewed as a potential candidate.

Timeline: Key Events Leading to Budget Deadline