French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, following the sudden resignation of Sébastien Lecornu, marking yet another shift in France’s turbulent political landscape.
The Élysée Palace confirmed the timeline late Wednesday, emphasizing that a majority of lawmakers oppose early elections, opting instead for political stability amid what many describe as France’s deepest political crisis in decades.
Lecornu, France’s fifth prime minister in two years, resigned on Monday along with his cabinet—just hours after presenting the new government lineup—making his administration the shortest-lived in modern French history.
At Macron’s request, Lecornu held further consultations with centrist and moderate political leaders to explore possible alliances that could secure parliamentary backing for the next government.
“Most deputies oppose dissolving the parliament; a platform for stability exists; and a path toward budget approval by December 31 is possible,” the presidency said in a statement, citing Lecornu’s conclusions. “On this basis, the President of the Republic will appoint a new prime minister within 48 hours.”
Lecornu’s resignation followed threats from both the opposition and some of Macron’s allies to back a vote of no confidence, reflecting the depth of political fragmentation. With no parliamentary majority for any bloc, France has struggled to form consensus on key issues, including fiscal reforms and budget recovery.
Despite two days of failed negotiations with political leaders, the Élysée remains confident that a new prime minister could still emerge with enough support to pass crucial legislation. Lecornu declined to speculate on potential successors but said he had “fulfilled his duty” and that the final decision rests with Macron.
The president’s upcoming appointment is seen as a critical test of his political authority and his ability to restore stability ahead of next year’s local and European elections.
