Newsletters
France could have a new prime minister within two days, outgoing Premier Sebastien Lecornu said Wednesday, as President Emmanuel Macron works to resolve a political crisis that has paralyzed the government for months.
"I think that the situation allows the president to name a prime minister in the next 48 hours," Lecornu told France 2 public television, signaling that his brief tenure appears over. "I feel that a path is possible."
The comments came after Macron set a Wednesday evening deadline for Lecornu to break an impasse over an austerity budget that has gripped the National Assembly. Lecornu's resignation earlier this week deepened the turmoil, leaving Macron with limited options: reappoint Lecornu, name a new premier—the eighth of his presidency—call snap legislative elections, or resign.
Lecornu indicated Wednesday that appointing a fresh prime minister now appears most likely. He told Macron that prospects for snap legislative elections had "receded" and that a majority in parliament's lower house opposes dissolution.
The political uncertainty has intensified calls for change at the top. Former Premier Édouard Philippe urged Macron to step down and trigger snap presidential elections. But Lecornu rejected that path, insisting it was "not the time to change the president" and that Macron should complete his term through 2027.
"Let's not make the French believe that it's the president who votes the budget," Lecornu said.
Lecornu suggested the next government should be more technocratic, with cabinet members who lack presidential ambitions for 2027.
"The situation is already difficult enough. We need a team that decides to roll up its sleeves and solve the country's problems until the presidential election," he said, adding he was not "running after" the job himself.
"I tried everything... This evening my mission is finished," he said.
The premier also addressed France's contentious pension reform, which raised the retirement age and remains Macron's most divisive domestic policy. While Lecornu said a "path" should be found to debate lowering the pension age, he warned that any suspension would cost at least 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in 2027. Education Minister Élisabeth Borne, who was prime minister when the reform was forced through parliament without a vote, has called for it to be suspended.
Lecornu offered no hints about his successor but said a new budget could be presented to the cabinet Monday. He cautioned it would "not be perfect" and there would be "lots to debate."
The protracted crisis has tested Macron's ability to govern as France grapples with economic pressures and political fragmentation following inconclusive legislative elections that left no party with a clear majority.
1 min read
2 min read
