France's Prime Minister Quits After Under One Month Amidst Broad Criticism of New Government
France's political crisis has deepened after the new prime minister suddenly stepped down within moments of announcing a cabinet.
Rapid Departure Amid Political Turmoil
France's latest leader was the third premier in a single year, as the country continued to stumble from one political crisis to another. He resigned hours before his initial ministerial gathering on Monday afternoon. Macron received Lecornu's resignation on the beginning of Monday.
Intense Criticism Over New Government
France's leader had faced intense backlash from opposition politicians when he announced a new government that was mostly identical since last month's dismissal of his predecessor, François Bayrou.
The proposed new government was led by Macron's political partners, leaving the government mostly identical.
Opposition Reaction
Opposition parties said Lecornu had stepped back on the "major shift" with earlier approaches that he had pledged when he came to power from the disliked Bayrou, who was ousted on the ninth of September over a planned spending cuts.
Future Political Course
The uncertainty now is whether the head of state will decide to end the current assembly and call another snap election.
Marine Le Pen's political ally, the head of the opposition figure's far-right National Rally party, said: "We cannot achieve a reestablishment of order without a return to the ballot box and the parliament's termination."
He continued, "It was very clearly France's leader who decided this administration himself. He has understood nothing of the political situation we are in."
Election Demands
The far-right party has demanded another election, believing they can increase their positions and presence in the legislature.
The country has gone through a phase of instability and political crisis since the president called an unclear early vote last year. The assembly remains separated between the main groups: the left, the conservative wing and the centre, with no absolute dominance.
Budget Pressure
A budget for next year must be approved within weeks, even though parliamentary groups are at loggerheads and Lecornu's tenure ended in under four weeks.
No-Confidence Vote
Political groups from the left to conservative wing were to hold discussions on the start of the week to decide whether or not to support to oust Lecornu in a opposition challenge, and it appeared that the cabinet would collapse before it had even started work. Lecornu seemingly decided to resign before he could be ousted.
Cabinet Appointments
Most of the key cabinet roles revealed on the night before remained the identical, including Gérald Darmanin as justice minister and arts and heritage leader as culture minister.
The position of economy minister, which is crucial as a divided parliament struggles to agree on a spending package, went to a Macron ally, a government partner who had formerly acted as industry and energy minister at the start of Macron's second term.
Surprise Selection
In a shocking development, the president's political partner, a presidential supporter who had served as economy minister for seven years of his term, was reappointed to administration as defence minister. This angered leaders across the various parties, who considered it a indication that there would be no questioning or change of his corporate-friendly approach.