Emmanuel Macron Set to Appoint New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil

Sat Oct 11 2025 00:25:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

With the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu, President Macron is expected to announce a new prime minister within 48 hours as France navigates a complicated political landscape.

French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to nominate a new prime minister within 48 hours following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu. The move comes amidst ongoing political instability in France where no party holds a majority in parliament after elections in July 2024. Lecornu's departure marks the third prime ministerial exit in less than a year and highlights the challenges facing the government, including the need to pass a budget and tackle the national debt amid ideological divisions.

Emmanuel Macron Set to Appoint New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil

French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, according to the Elysee Palace. This decision follows the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who became the third individual to leave the position in less than a year, contributing to an already tumultuous political atmosphere in France.

Prior to his departure, Lecornu indicated that the possibility of dissolving parliament and calling for fresh elections has diminished after discussions with various political parties. He emphasized the need for a governmental consensus to navigate the current crisis, stating, There is a majority in parliament that is keen to avoid fresh elections. This shows a willingness among lawmakers to come together, despite significant ideological divides.

Lecornu, a close ally of Macron and a former armed forces minister, was asked to remain in his role for a brief period to help formulate strategies aimed at overcoming the political deadlock. In a televised interview, he pointed out that most members of parliament recognize the urgency of passing a budget by the year's end, a key priority as the country grapples with a national debt that has soared to €3.4 trillion, amounting to nearly 114% of France’s economic output.

On the horizon, however, remain the challenges of internal party disputes and the looming next presidential election in 2027, which Lecornu noted could hinder the formation of a stable government. His comments underscored the necessity of appointing a prime minister who is devoid of presidential aspirations to ensure the administration’s focus remains on pressing national issues.

Lecornu's resignation and subsequent remarks reflect broader frustrations within the government, where previous prime ministers also faced ousting due to confidence votes linked to austerity measures. He had planned to present his draft budget next week, urging parliamentary factions to engage in constructive debate, despite the partisan tensions that have defined the current session.

Political fragmentation has posed significant obstacles since the snap elections in July 2024, with no single party commanding a majority. This situation has led to a standstill on legislative initiatives, crucial reforms, and budgetary approvals. Looking ahead, the key question remains whether Macron can rally the fragmented political landscape, particularly seeking support from the Socialists for a new coalition government.

While calls for Macron's resignation surface among opposition leaders, Lecornu reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining stability at the top levels of French governance, indicating that now is not the time for a presidential transition amidst these turbulent times.