The Élysée Palace has confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron intends to name a new Prime Minister within the next 48 hours. This decisive announcement serves to quash persistent speculation regarding the possibility of early elections, which have destabilized the political climate recently. The outgoing Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, whose brief tenure lasted less than a month, recently indicated that the majority of parliamentary deputies are not in favor of holding new elections and remain open to finding common ground through negotiation.
Lecornu emphasized that a substantial number of representatives within the National Assembly are actively seeking to avert a general election. He further identified President Macron’s controversial pension reform as the pivotal sticking point in negotiations aimed at forming the next government. According to Lecornu, opinions on the reform are sharply divided: while some factions are demanding its temporary suspension, others insist on its complete abandonment. He cautioned, however, that pausing the reform could potentially cost the French state 3 billion euros by the year 2027.
Lecornu warned that France would face severe repercussions should the nation fail to pass an approved budget by the close of the year. He confirmed that he has already finalized a draft budget proposal, which is scheduled for presentation to the legislature on Monday. The former PM expressed his readiness to engage in thorough discussions concerning the budget’s specifics, particularly focusing on its social ramifications and impact on the populace.
The outgoing leader also addressed the recent call by former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who urged President Macron to step down and initiate new elections. Dismissing the suggestion, Lecornu stated unequivocally that “now is not the time for a change of president.” He added that the public should not be misled into believing that the President personally casts the vote on the budget. Consequently, the political landscape in France remains fraught with tension, and the imminent decisions are poised to significantly shape the nation's future trajectory.
This upcoming change in the premiership marks the fifth such transition in under two years, a frequency that underscores a deeper systemic crisis and highlights the persistent ineffectiveness of previous attempts to forge political consensus among disparate parties. The critical lack of a clear majority for any single faction in the lower house of parliament severely complicates the ratification of crucial policy decisions, including the essential approval of the budget for the year 2026. Furthermore, France’s budget deficit reached a concerning 5.8% of GDP in 2024, making the achievement of a constructive, cross-party compromise not merely desirable but absolutely vital for the country's continued stability and economic health moving forward.