Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has tasked outgoing Prime Minister S©bastien Lecornu with negotiating a resolution to the country’s ongoing political crisis, following Lecornu’s unexpected resignation on Monday. Macron has directed Lecornu, who remains in a caretaker capacity, to conduct urgent talks by Wednesday evening to establish political stability.
According to Ghana News Agency, Lecornu announced on X that he is prepared to engage with political forces to ensure the country’s stability at the president’s request. Lecornu stated that he would update Macron by Wednesday evening on whether a resolution is possible, allowing Macron to take necessary actions. Lecornu also informed Macron of his decision not to seek reappointment as prime minister, as reported by Le Figaro and other French media outlets. Sources close to Macron indicated that he would accept responsibility if these final negotiations do not succeed.
After a year marked by political instability, Macron faces limited options, although he has rejected the idea of resigning. Potential steps include dissolving parliament and calling for new elections. Analysts suggest that last year’s snap elections exacerbated the crisis by bolstering far-left and far-right factions in the National Assembly, which could gain further power if elections are held soon.
Lecornu resigned just a month after his appointment, forcing Macron to search for a new prime minister for the third time in a year. This came after Lecornu revealed his government’s key ministry allocations on Sunday evening, which were met with dissatisfaction. Bruno Retailleau, leader of the Republicans party, expressed discontent with his party’s role in the new Cabinet, prompting a crisis meeting on Monday. There is speculation about the conservatives potentially withdrawing from the coalition with Macron’s centrist group, which lacks a parliamentary majority. Retailleau had previously demanded a third of the ministerial posts for his party.
Conservatives were particularly displeased with the appointment of Bruno Le Maire, who unexpectedly became defence minister after serving as economy and finance minister until 2024. Following his resignation, Lecornu criticized the fragmented parliament for hindering progress and stated that parties act as if they possess an absolute majority. He expressed frustration over the lack of compromise and the parties’ competition for positions.
Lecornu was due to address the National Assembly and announce the remaining Cabinet positions on Tuesday. His resignation deepens France’s political crisis and increases pressure on Macron. In an effort to help resolve the crisis, Le Maire withdrew from his planned appointment as defence minister, offering Macron his resignation, which was accepted. Le Maire expressed hope that this decision would facilitate discussions for forming a new government.
The opposition has called for fresh elections and urged Macron to resign. Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s right-wing nationalists, asserted that elections are the only solution, a sentiment echoed by left-wing politician Jean-Luc M©lenchon, who warned of an impasse.
Lecornu’s predecessor, Fran§ois Bayrou, resigned after losing a parliamentary confidence vote over an austerity budget on September 8, leading to his resignation as head of the minority government. Macron appointed Lecornu on September 9. Previously, Michel Barnier’s government collapsed in December after just three months in office.
France currently holds the highest debt in the European Union, amounting to approximately £3.3 trillion ($3.9 trillion).