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French President Emmanuel Macron plans to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, his office confirmed on Wednesday, following the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu, plunging the country further into political uncertainty.
Lecornu stepped down on Monday after less than a month in office, having struggled to break a deadlock over Macron’s austerity budget. In an interview with French television, Lecornu said he expected a replacement premier to be named rather than early legislative elections being called or Macron resigning, insisting that the president should serve out his term until 2027.
Macron had given Lecornu until Wednesday evening to find a solution to the impasse, but after the resignation, the presidency stated: “The president thanks Sebastien Lecornu for the work done over these last 48 hours. He will name a prime minister within 48 hours,” adding that a “path was possible” to agree a budget by the end of the year.
Lecornu suggested that a technocratic cabinet, free of members with ambitions for the 2027 presidential race, could be formed. He emphasised the need for a team focused on solving France’s immediate problems, including opening a debate on suspending the contentious pension age reform, though he warned such a move would cost at least three billion euros in 2027.
The next premier will face the same challenges as Lecornu and his immediate predecessors, who were toppled by parliament. Macron’s centrist coalition has been governing with a minority, forcing reliance on the right-wing Republicans, while any new government risks being blocked by an alliance of the left and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. Le Pen has already vowed to “vote against everything” in the event of a new cabinet, as her party positions itself ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Socialist leader Olivier Faure, meanwhile, expressed dissatisfaction after meeting Lecornu, lamenting the lack of assurances on suspending the pension reform.
