France’s Political Crisis Deepens as Macron Prepares to Name New Prime Minister
Emmanuel Macron is set to appoint a new prime minister by Friday evening, according to his office. The move reflects the president’s effort to navigate France’s deeply divided parliament with what would be his sixth head of government in under two years.
“This might be the last opportunity,” government spokesperson Aurore Bergé told RTL radio on Thursday. “It’s the final chance for political leaders to regain trust ... all of this only strengthens the far right’s prospects of gaining control.”
The political turmoil escalated this week when Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stepped down after just 27 days in office. His resignation left Macron with limited choices: call early legislative elections, resign as president, or seek another prime minister.
Following the announcement, Macron requested that Lecornu remain in place temporarily to hold urgent talks aimed at resolving the crisis affecting Europe’s second-largest economy.
After discussions with various political groups—excluding the far right and hard left, which refused to participate—Lecornu expressed cautious hope that a resolution could be reached. Speaking to France 2 on Wednesday, he noted that a majority of lawmakers seemed reluctant to hold another election.
“A governing majority exists,” Lecornu said. “I believe a path forward is still possible.” He admitted, however, that the task would be challenging.
France’s political instability began over a year ago when the 2024 snap elections produced a fractured parliament, dividing lawmakers into three nearly equal factions: the left, the far right, and Macron’s center-right coalition.
Tensions have worsened as debates intensify over how to address France’s growing budget deficit, expected to surpass 5.5% of GDP this year—almost double the EU’s limit—and the approaching 2027 presidential election, which has prompted parties to solidify their ideological positions ahead of the vote.
Lecornu acknowledged the influence of the 2027 race, emphasizing that any incoming administration must remain “fully independent” from personal political ambitions. “The situation is already complicated enough. We need a team committed to solving the country’s problems until the next election,” he said.
Recent statements from far-right and hard-left leaders have underscored the severity of the challenge. Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right National Rally, declared her party would oppose any initiative, including a future prime minister chosen by Macron, and instead demand new parliamentary elections.
Mathilde Panot, parliamentary leader of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), similarly stated that her lawmakers would reject “any government continuing Macron’s policies.”
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