Macron to appoint new prime minister within 48 hours - Lecornu
Photo: Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron will appoint the country’s new prime minister within the next 48 hours.
This was announced by current Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, according to the politician’s interview with France 2.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the end of his mission to negotiate with other political parties.
He ruled out returning to the post of prime minister but stressed that "a solution exists," calling for the formation of a government "entirely detached from presidential ambitions for 2027."
Lecornu also dismissed the possibility of new parliamentary elections.
"There is an absolute majority in the National Assembly opposed to dissolution. Two hundred and ten deputies support the stability platform. This majority could serve as the foundation for Macron to appoint a new prime minister," he said.
At the same time, Lecornu firmly rejected calls from some of Macron’s former allies for the president to resign after the 2026 budget is approved.
"Now is not the time to change the president," he emphasized, citing global instability and France’s diplomatic role as reasons to maintain stability at the highest level of power.
Difficult budget talks ahead
Lecornu said the new draft budget law would be submitted to parliament on Monday, October 13.
He noted that the National Assembly currently has a "very relative majority of several political parties who, in essence, are ready to negotiate a joint budget."
"It won’t be perfect. There will be many discussions. The political crisis must be resolved, the government formed, and real debate must begin in parliament," the prime minister stated.
When asked if he considered his mission successful, Lecornu paused and admitted:
"Not entirely. I tried everything."
Government resignation and aftermath
In early September, the National Assembly voted no confidence in the government of Prime Minister François Bayrou.
President Emmanuel Macron later appointed Sébastien Lecornu, who had previously served as defense minister, as the new Prime Minister.
On October 6, Lecornu submitted his cabinet proposals to Macron and then resigned, marking the shortest premiership in modern French history, lasting just 27 days.
Lecornu expressed cautious optimism that the country’s budget would be approved by the end of the year, reducing the likelihood of early parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, on October 8, the Bureau of the National Assembly rejected an impeachment motion against Macron filed by the La France Insoumise party.
