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Macron to Appoint New Prime Minister Within 48 Hours Amid Political Crisis
• Politics, Macron, French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, resignation, Elysee Palace, political crisis, parliament, majority, budget, national debt, political stalemate, pension reforms, rtwnews.com, Macron to Appoint New Prime Minister Within 48 Hours Amid Political Crisis
In a bid to stabilize France's political landscape, President Emmanuel Macron is set to nominate a new prime minister within 48 hours following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu, who warned of the complexities of forming a government amidst a hung parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister within 48 hours, the Elysee Palace has announced, amid rising speculation regarding the possibility of imminent elections.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu indicated during a recent statement that discussions with political parties suggested the likelihood of dissolving parliament was diminishing. He stated, “There is a majority in parliament and that is the majority that is keen to avoid fresh elections.”
Lecornu, who resigned on Monday, became the third French PM to leave his position in under a year, entangled in a parliament divided by ideological conflicts.
After being urged by Macron to remain in his role temporarily to foster consensus among parties, Lecornu emphasized that both the urgency of passing a budget and the avoidance of early elections were shared priorities among most MPs.
Despite concluding his mission with no clear successor hinted at during a highly anticipated interview, Lecornu dismissed any notions of ruling himself out for future roles.
The ongoing political stalemate emerged after the snap elections in July 2024, leaving no single party with a majority and complicating the passage of laws, including vital budget measures.
Lecornu’s focus now turns to dealing with the country’s significant national debt, reported at €3.4 trillion and nearly 114% of GDP, following the politically sensitive austerity budgets that led to the ousting of his predecessors.
Challenges remain, including the contentious pension reform policy introduced by Macron, with factions within parliament resistant to compromise. Some political leaders, including Mathilde Panot from France Unbowed and Marine Le Pen of the National Rally, have publicly voiced demands for fresh elections or proposed significant changes to the current government structure.
As France's political landscape becomes increasingly volatile, the upcoming decision from Macron on his new prime minister could prove pivotal in navigating the nation's governance challenges.