Macron Set to Announce New Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil

Sat Dec 20 2025 08:15:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to name a new prime minister within 48 hours following the resignation of his close ally, Sébastien Lecornu, amidst a challenging political landscape marked by a hung parliament.

In a significant development for French politics, President Emmanuel Macron will nominate a new prime minister within 48 hours after the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu. As political divisions dominate the parliamentary landscape and discussions about the urgency of passing a budget intensify, Lecornu's departure signals the challenges ahead for the new appointee. The current political stalemate began after inconclusive elections in July 2024, raising questions about potential new elections and the stability of Macron's government.

French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister within 48 hours, the Elysee Palace has announced, amid mounting political pressure following the recent resignation of his close ally, Sébastien Lecornu.

In talks with political parties over the last two days, Lecornu indicated that the likelihood of parliament dissolution seems to have diminished. He noted, There is a majority in parliament that is eager to avoid fresh elections.

Lecornu resigned on Monday, becoming the third prime minister to leave during a tumultuous year, citing the challenges posed by a hung parliament that remains divided along ideological lines.

Macron has tasked Lecornu to facilitate communication among political factions in a bid to resolve the present political crisis. In a much-anticipated interview on Wednesday, Lecornu mentioned the urgency of passing the budget by year-end, emphasizing that most MPs opposed fresh elections.

However, significant hurdles remain, with divisions within parliament prevailing, and many politicians casting a wary eye toward the 2027 presidential elections. Lecornu emphasized the need for a prime minister who is not entangled in future presidential ambitions, as political maneuvering continues.

France's political deadlock has its roots in the snap elections of July 2024, resulting in no party securing a majority, making it increasingly complicated to legislate or reform, particularly concerning the national debt, which stands at €3.4 trillion.

Lecornu's government draft budget is set to be unveiled next week, and he advocates for open discussion, stating that parties cannot simply dismiss it without due consideration. The specter of Macron's controversial pension reforms remains a hot topic, calling for a renewed debate.

While some factions publicly demand Macron's resignation, the former prime minister, Edouard Philippe, suggested that now is not the time for a change in presidential leadership. Lecornu echoed this sentiment, supporting the need for a stable governmental figure as political tides shift in France.

With the appointment of a new prime minister on the horizon, the question remains as to whether 48 hours will be enough for Lecornu to rally support for a new government amidst a fractured political landscape.