French President Macron Set to Appoint New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil

French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to appoint a new prime minister within 48 hours, as confirmed by the Élysée Palace. The announcement follows the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who declared the end of his negotiations with various political parties during an interview on Wednesday night. In his conversation with France 2, Lecornu revealed that he had a meeting with President Macron earlier that day, where he delivered the results of his consultations. While he expressed that he will not return to the premiership, Lecornu emphasized the importance of forming a government that is free from the ambitions of the 2027 presidential race. With rising speculation surrounding the possibility of snap parliamentary elections, Lecornu firmly dismissed this notion, asserting that a significant number—210 Members of Parliament—oppose the dissolution of the National Assembly. He argued that this majority could potentially provide Macron with the stability needed to appoint a successor. However, he declined to share any further details. Some of Macron's former allies, including ex-Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, have suggested that Macron step down following the passage of the 2026 budget, but Lecornu disagreed with this perspective. He cited global instability and France’s diplomatic role as critical reasons for maintaining governance stability at the current time. As the political landscape continues to shift, Lecornu confirmed that a new budget bill will be tabled on Monday, admitting it will not be perfect and promising extensive debate. He stressed the urgency of overcoming the current political crisis by appointing a new government and fostering a real dialogue in parliament. Regarding the contentious pension reform that has incited widespread protests in recent years, Lecornu acknowledged that it remains a major point of contention in parliament. He cautioned that halting the reform would incur significant costs, warning that abandoning it could lead to a loss of approximately three billion euros by 2027. Throughout his brief premiership, which lasted just 27 days, Lecornu characterized himself as a disciplined servant of duty, rather than a politician seeking personal ambition. He accepted Macron’s task of negotiating with other political factions in an effort to demonstrate his commitment and not a desire for the prime minister's position. Reflecting on his time in office, he admitted to not completely achieving his objectives but expressed that he tried his best. As Macron prepares to usher in a new prime minister, all eyes will be on the president’s choice and how it will impact France's political climate moving forward. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2