France's PM Resigns Following Less Than a Month Amidst Broad Backlash of Freshly Appointed Ministers

France's political turmoil has deepened after the new prime minister suddenly stepped down within hours of appointing a administration.

Rapid Departure During Political Turmoil

Sébastien Lecornu was the third French prime minister in a year-long span, as the republic continued to lurch from one parliamentary instability to another. He resigned hours before his opening government session on the beginning of the workweek. France's leader accepted his resignation on the start of the day.

Furious Criticism Over Fresh Government

France's leader had faced furious criticism from rival parties when he presented a fresh cabinet that was largely similar since last recent removal of his predecessor, the previous prime minister.

The proposed new government was led by the president's allies, leaving the cabinet largely similar.

Political Criticism

Political opponents said France's leader had stepped back on the "profound break" with past politics that he had vowed when he came to power from the unpopular previous leader, who was dismissed on 9 September over a proposed budget squeeze.

Future Government Direction

The issue now is whether the president will decide to dissolve parliament and call another early vote.

Marine Le Pen's political ally, the head of the opposition figure's political movement, said: "We cannot achieve a restoration of calm without a new election and the legislature's dismissal."

He continued, "Evidently Emmanuel Macron who decided this cabinet himself. He has misinterpreted of the current circumstances we are in."

Election Demands

The far-right party has demanded another election, thinking they can expand their representation and role in parliament.

The country has gone through a phase of instability and political crisis since the president called an unclear early vote last year. The legislature remains split between the political factions: the left, the conservative wing and the centre, with no clear majority.

Financial Pressure

A spending package for next year must be passed within weeks, even though political parties are at odds and Lecornu's tenure ended in barely three weeks.

No-Confidence Vote

Parties from the left to far right were to hold meetings on Monday to decide whether or not to support to remove France's leader in a no-confidence vote, and it seemed that the government would fall before it had even commenced functioning. Lecornu reportedly decided to resign before he could be dismissed.

Ministerial Positions

Most of the major ministerial positions announced on Sunday night remained the same, including Gérald Darmanin as judicial department head and arts and heritage leader as arts department head.

The position of economy minister, which is essential as a fragmented legislature struggles to pass a financial plan, went to Roland Lescure, a presidential supporter who had formerly acted as industry and energy minister at the beginning of his current leadership period.

Surprise Appointment

In a surprise move, a longtime Macron ally, a Macron ally who had acted as economy minister for multiple terms of his term, was reappointed to cabinet as defence minister. This infuriated officials across the spectrum, who viewed it as a sign that there would be no doubt or modification of his corporate-friendly approach.

Lisa Henderson
Lisa Henderson

A tech-savvy journalist passionate about digital trends and storytelling, with a knack for uncovering the latest in innovation.