French Prime Minister Launches Final Effort to Salvage Cabinet

France’s outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was set to make a last-ditch attempt on Tuesday to rally cross-party support for a cabinet capable of steering the country out of a prolonged political deadlock.

Background

• Prime Minister: Sebastien Lecornu, 39
• Tasked by: President Emmanuel Macron in early September
• Context: Parliament toppled Macron’s previous government, prompting Lecornu’s appointment

Lecornu unveiled a new cabinet on Sunday evening, but it immediately drew criticism for including many of the same faces as the previous government, prompting him to resign on Monday.

By Monday evening, however, Lecornu had agreed to Macron’s request to spend two days attempting to salvage his administration.

“I have accepted to hold final discussions with the political forces and will report back to President Macron on Wednesday evening,” Lecornu wrote on social media.

A presidential official indicated that Macron is prepared to “assume his responsibilities” if negotiations fail, likely hinting at the possibility of calling fresh legislative elections.

Controversial Appointments

Critics were particularly unhappy with the appointment of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as defence minister, viewing him as a symbol of Macron’s economic policies.

• In an effort to break the deadlock, Le Maire announced on Monday that he would step down.

Political Deadlock

Lecornu’s resignation deepens a crisis that has shaken France for over a year, following snap elections in mid-2024 that resulted in a hung parliament.

Internal criticism has grown within Macron’s centrist bloc:

• Gabriel Attal, former Prime Minister and leader of Macron’s party, said on Monday evening: “After a succession of new premiers, it is time to try something else.”

The turmoil unfolds ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, which are expected to be a historic crossroads in French politics.

• Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), suggested that Macron should resign and called for snap legislative elections, stating it was “absolutely necessary”.
• RN’s Jordan Bardella added that the party is “ready to govern.”

Challenges Ahead

Lecornu’s predecessors, Francois Bayrou and Michel Barnier, were ousted over disagreements regarding an austerity budget. Any new premier will still face the challenge of securing enough support for the spending bill in a parliament where Macron’s allies remain in the minority.

Economic context:

Macron has so far resisted calls for fresh elections and ruled out resigning before 2027.

• Should he appoint a new prime minister, it would be the eighth of his mandate, who would face a struggle to survive without significant political changes.

The situation highlights deep political instability in France, with both internal party dissent and the far-right opposition positioning themselves ahead of the next presidential election.