French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is facing one of the biggest challenges of his career this week: building a fresh government and meeting a tight budget deadline – all while one of his main allies has just backed out. ⏳🔥
Since President Emmanuel Macron’s snap polls last year threw France into a hung parliament (with far-right gains), political stability has been on shaky ground.
After resigning four days ago and watching his first cabinet collapse, Lecornu was reinstated late Friday. His mission? Produce a draft budget for 2026 by Tuesday, triggering the constitutionally required 70 days of parliamentary scrutiny before year’s end.
But here’s the twist: the right-wing Republicans (LR) announced Saturday they won’t join his new team. Instead, they’ll cooperate on a “bill-by-bill” basis – a move that ramps up the drama in the corridors of power. 🤝❌
Undeterred, Lecornu has vowed to work with all mainstream movements and pick ministers “not imprisoned by parties.” In an interview with La Tribune, he admitted he stepped down because “the conditions were no longer met” and warned he’d resign again if needed. 📣
Adding another layer to this political thriller, Macron is set to travel to Egypt on Monday to back a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal. That trip could push the budget timeline even closer to the wire. ✈️⏰
France is also under EU pressure to trim its soaring debt and deficit. It was the fight over cost-cutting that brought down Lecornu’s two predecessors. Now, he’s promising “everything possible” to deliver a solid budget by year-end – and roll back a 2023 pension reform hike from 62 to 64 if the debate demands it. 💼📊
The clock is ticking, alliances are shifting, and all eyes are on Lecornu as he navigates this high-stakes game of politics. Will he pull off a miracle by Tuesday? Stay tuned… 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
