The French Prime Minister Resigns Following Less Than a Month Amidst Broad Backlash of New Ministers
France's government instability has deepened after the freshly installed PM unexpectedly quit within moments of announcing a government.
Rapid Exit Amid Political Instability
The prime minister was the third premier in a year-long span, as the nation continued to move from one parliamentary instability to another. He resigned moments before his first cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon. The president approved Lecornu's resignation on the start of the day.
Intense Opposition Regarding Fresh Cabinet
France's leader had faced furious criticism from political opponents when he revealed a new government that was mostly identical since last month's ousting of his predecessor, the previous prime minister.
The proposed new government was led by the president's allies, leaving the cabinet almost unchanged.
Opposition Reaction
Opposition parties said Lecornu had stepped back on the "profound break" with previous policies that he had promised when he assumed office from the unpopular former PM, who was removed on 9 September over a planned spending cuts.
Next Political Direction
The uncertainty now is whether the head of state will decide to dissolve parliament and call another sudden poll.
Marine Le Pen's political ally, the head of the far-right leader's opposition group, said: "We cannot achieve a reestablishment of order without a new election and the national assembly being dissolved."
He stated, "It was very clearly Emmanuel Macron who decided this administration himself. He has failed to comprehend of the current circumstances we are in."
Vote Demands
The National Rally has advocated for another poll, believing they can boost their positions and presence in the assembly.
France has gone through a phase of instability and political crisis since the national leader called an unclear early vote last year. The legislature remains split between the political factions: the liberal wing, the far right and the moderate faction, with no definitive control.
Budget Pressure
A spending package for next year must be agreed within a short time, even though government factions are at disagreement and the prime minister's term ended in less than a month.
No-Confidence Vote
Parties from the progressive side to far right were to hold meetings on Monday to decide whether or not to support to oust France's leader in a parliamentary motion, and it appeared that the cabinet would fall before it had even started work. The prime minister reportedly decided to resign before he could be dismissed.
Ministerial Appointments
The majority of the big government posts announced on Sunday night remained the unchanged, including the justice minister as justice minister and Rachida Dati as culture minister.
The responsibility of economic policy head, which is crucial as a split assembly struggles to agree on a budget, went to the president's supporter, a Macron ally who had formerly acted as industry and energy minister at the commencement of his current leadership period.
Surprise Appointment
In a unexpected decision, Bruno Le Maire, a government partner who had served as financial affairs leader for multiple terms of his leadership, came back to cabinet as military affairs head. This infuriated politicians across the spectrum, who saw it as a sign that there would be no challenging or change of his corporate-friendly approach.