Macron to Appoint New Prime Minister Within 48 Hours Amid Deepening Political Crisis:

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, according to an official statement from the Élysée Palace. The decision follows days of political chaos and failed efforts to form a stable government, marking one of the most turbulent moments in Macron’s presidency. This announcement comes after outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu concluded two days of urgent talks with party leaders in a last attempt to break the political deadlock. His newly unveiled cabinet, presented just days earlier, faced immediate and widespread rejection from both allies and opposition parties, leading to his swift resignation. The Élysée confirmed on Wednesday that Lecornu’s consultations revealed most lawmakers do not support dissolving parliament for early elections. Instead, a possible “platform for stability” has emerged—one that could allow France to pass a much-needed national budget before the end of the year. "On this basis, the President of the Republic will appoint a Prime Minister within the next 48 hours," the official statement read. Macron also expressed gratitude to Lecornu for his efforts to resolve the crisis, even as the short-lived prime minister steps down after just 14 hours in office—the shortest tenure in modern French history. A Crisis Escalating for Months This latest political drama began in September, when Macron appointed Lecornu as prime minister following the collapse of François Bayrou’s government. Bayrou, Macron’s previous pick, was ousted by a divided parliament after proposing unpopular austerity measures aimed at reducing national debt. Lecornu had promised a fresh start, distancing himself from Bayrou’s economic approach. However, his cabinet, revealed on Sunday night, drew instant backlash for including many of the same figures from the prior administration. The criticism was swift and fierce, forcing Lecornu to resign just a day later. Despite his resignation, Lecornu remained temporarily in office at Macron’s request to attempt another round of talks with political leaders. But the outcome of those discussions offered little in the way of concrete solutions. “I tried everything,” Lecornu said in a televised interview on Wednesday, acknowledging that his mission had come to an end. He emphasized that a technocratic, rather than political, government might be the best way forward—one composed of individuals without presidential ambitions. He also rejected growing calls for early presidential elections, arguing that this is not the time for a change in leadership. “Let’s not make the French believe that it’s the president who votes the budget,” he said, stressing the role of parliament in fiscal decisions. A Divided Parliament and Growing Public Unrest The current crisis stems from Macron’s decision to call snap elections last year in response to rising support for the far right. That gamble backfired, leaving France with a hung parliament and no clear majority to govern. As a result, key legislation, including the national budget, has been stuck in limbo. Public frustration is also mounting. Proposed spending cuts have triggered large-scale protests across the country, while opposition leaders continue to call for fresh elections and vow to block any new cabinet from moving forward. As Macron prepares to announce a new prime minister, the political future of France remains uncertain. With no consensus in parliament and public trust waning, the next move could determine whether Macron regains control—or faces further instability.

NEWS