French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Resigns Amid Criticism
French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who stepped down less than a month after taking office. Lecornu, sworn in on September 10, stated that “the conditions to remain prime minister were no longer met,” reports 24brussels.
The resignation follows backlash regarding the composition of Lecornu’s cabinet, which largely included ministers from previous governments. Lecornu had been set to present his general policy address to the National Assembly on Tuesday.
“My decision not to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution, and to return power to Parliament, has not led to the realisation that things can be done differently,” the former prime minister remarked in a statement on Monday.
Article 49.3 permits the government to advance legislation through the National Assembly without a vote, a strategy used to secure budget approvals during Macron’s term. Lecornu had committed to avoiding its use in favor of promoting wider parliamentary consensus.
However, that consensus failed to materialize. Lecornu accused rival parties of engaging in political maneuvers as they prepare for the 2027 elections, stating, “The composition of the government has led to the awakening of some party political ambitions, especially with a view to the presidential elections.”
Political Crisis Deepens
Lecornu’s departure marks the fifth resignation of a prime minister since Macron took office in 2022, exacerbating pressure on the French president to regain public confidence ahead of critical budget discussions this fall. France’s budget deficit exceeds 5 percent of GDP, the highest within the European Union.
With Lecornu’s resignation, the French political crisis intensifies. Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National, has called on Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and initiate new elections.
PHOTO © Stephane Mahe / POOL / AFP