Macron Set to Appoint New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil in France

Fri Oct 10 2025 13:37:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a decisive move, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to nominate a new prime minister within 48 hours, following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu, amid speculation of avoiding fresh elections.

French President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister in the next 48 hours after Sébastien Lecornu resigned, marking the third change in the role within a year. This move aims to stabilize the government and navigate ongoing political divisions that arose after a hung parliament left no party with a majority. Lecornu has indicated the necessity of forming a consensus to pass a budget and address pressing national issues, including the country's significant debt.

French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister within 48 hours, the Elysee Palace has confirmed, fending off speculation that fresh elections could be imminent.

Earlier on Wednesday, outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu commented that the likelihood of dissolving parliament was diminishing following discussions with political parties.

There is a majority in parliament and that is the majority that keen to avoid fresh elections, he said.

Lecornu, a close ally of Macron, became the third French PM to step down in less than a year, as the country grapples with a hung parliament split across ideological lines.

He was requested by Macron to briefly continue in office to broker a consensus among parties regarding the current political impasse.

In a highly anticipated TV interview on Wednesday, Lecornu noted that there was broad agreement among MPs on passing a budget by year-end, but acknowledged the complexity rooted in ongoing divisions within parliament.

Whoever ends up in government will need to be completely disconnected from any presidential ambition for 2027, he stated.

Lecornu did not reveal his successor and while he indicated his own mission had concluded, he left the door open regarding his future role.

The political deadlock originated from snap elections held in July 2024, resulting in no party obtaining a majority, creating challenges in passing legislation including the annual budget.

Following significant national debt, reported at €3.4 trillion (approximately 114% of GDP), previous PMs faced dismissal over presenting austerity budgets. Lecornu's draft budget is set to be introduced next week but stresses the need for open debates.

Lecornu also highlighted the necessity of addressing Macron's contentious pension reforms, stating that dialogue must take place, despite the resistance from several factions within parliament.

Following his remarks, some groups reiterated demands for Macron's resignation, while others, including Marine Le Pen, pledged to reject any new government.

The immediate challenge for Lecornu's successor will be to unify political factions to secure a governing platform amid a backdrop of requests for Macron to resign.

Lecornu emphasized that stability is crucial for France, asserting, This is not the time to change the president. However, Macron's position appears increasingly precarious as some former allies express a desire for change.