In a shocking turn of events, France Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned on Monday, hours after announcing new cabinet. The former defence minister was appointed as the PM of the country by President Emmanuel Macron last month. Lecornu’s sudden resignation ascertains the political instability that France is currently grappling with.
The Elysee’s press office stated, “Mr. Sebastien Lecornu has submitted the resignation of his Government to the President of the Republic, who has accepted it.”
Notably, after facing mounting pressure and weeks of nationwide protests over proposed public spending cuts, Lecornu had partially finalised his ministerial team on Sunday. He reappointed several Les Républicains (LR) ministers, retained Macronists and recalled Bruno Le Maire and Éric Woerth to the Cabinet. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, will return from the last government.
Lecornu, who described himself as “the weakest Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic” promised to “renounce” the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass his budget. It is important to note that he was deprived of a majority in the National Assembly. “In a Parliament that works, that was renewed more than a year ago, that resembles the French, you cannot force your way through and you cannot coerce your opposition”, Lecornu emphasised in a speech on Friday, as reported by EuroNews.
After announcing new ministers, Lecornu wrote on X, “A government has just been appointed. In line with my commitments, it brings together and reflects the common foundation that supports us in Parliament. No surprises. These ministers will have the difficult task of providing the country with a budget before December 31 and serving France. They have accepted this, knowing that they will need to find compromises with our oppositions. Without the 49-3, Parliament will have the final say: that is the true break.”
