By Atoyebi Nike
France’s outgoing Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, began two days of negotiations on Tuesday to rally cross-party support for a new cabinet and end the country’s political impasse. President Emmanuel Macron tasked Lecornu with forming a government in September after parliament toppled his predecessor over an unpopular austerity budget.
Lecornu unveiled a cabinet on Sunday, but it was swiftly criticised for retaining key figures from the previous administration, prompting his resignation on Monday. Macron, however, asked him to stay temporarily to salvage his government and secure a stable platform by Wednesday.
The political crisis, triggered by last year’s snap polls that produced a hung parliament, is deepening ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. Opposition figures, including Marine Le Pen and former premier Edouard Philippe, have urged Macron to call early elections. Within his centrist camp, frustration is mounting, with party leader Gabriel Attal questioning the president’s strategy.
France’s mounting debt now the EU’s third highest adds pressure on Macron to secure a functional government capable of passing the austerity budget. Failure to reach a deal could push Macron toward fresh legislative elections or the appointment of yet another prime minister.
