France's PM Resigns Following Barely Three Weeks Amid Widespread Condemnation of New Ministers
France's political turmoil has worsened after the new prime minister unexpectedly quit within hours of forming a government.
Rapid Resignation During Political Instability
The prime minister was the third French prime minister in a year-long span, as the republic continued to move from one political crisis to another. He resigned moments before his opening government session on the start of the week. The president received the prime minister's resignation on the beginning of Monday.
Intense Opposition Regarding New Cabinet
The prime minister had faced intense backlash from rival parties when he presented a recent administration that was largely similar since last month's dismissal of his predecessor, François Bayrou.
The proposed new government was controlled by the president's supporters, leaving the administration largely similar.
Political Response
Opposition parties said Lecornu had stepped back on the "profound break" with earlier approaches that he had pledged when he assumed office from the disliked previous leader, who was ousted on September 9th over a planned spending cuts.
Next Government Course
The issue now is whether the national leader will decide to end the current assembly and call another snap election.
The National Rally president, the head of the far-right leader's political movement, said: "It's impossible to have a reestablishment of order without a return to the ballot box and the national assembly being dissolved."
He continued, "It was very clearly France's leader who decided this administration himself. He has understood nothing of the current circumstances we are in."
Election Demands
The National Rally has pushed for another vote, thinking they can expand their positions and presence in the legislature.
The nation has gone through a period of turmoil and government instability since the national leader called an inconclusive snap election last year. The assembly remains divided between the main groups: the progressive side, the conservative wing and the centre, with no clear majority.
Financial Deadline
A financial plan for next year must be passed within weeks, even though parliamentary groups are at disagreement and Lecornu's tenure ended in less than a month.
Opposition Motion
Factions from the progressive side to far right were to hold meetings on Monday to decide whether or not to approve to dismiss France's leader in a opposition challenge, and it appeared that the cabinet would collapse before it had even commenced functioning. Lecornu reportedly decided to resign before he could be dismissed.
Ministerial Positions
The majority of the key cabinet roles declared on the previous evening remained the unchanged, including Gérald Darmanin as justice minister and the culture minister as culture minister.
The position of economy minister, which is essential as a divided parliament struggles to pass a budget, went to Roland Lescure, a Macron ally who had earlier worked as industry and energy minister at the beginning of Macron's second term.
Surprise Appointment
In a surprise move, the president's political partner, a presidential supporter who had worked as economy minister for seven years of his leadership, came back to administration as national security leader. This enraged politicians across the spectrum, who considered it a sign that there would be no questioning or change of Macron's pro-business stance.