The French Prime Minister Steps Down After Less Than a Month Amid Broad Backlash of Freshly Appointed Cabinet

France's government instability has worsened after the new prime minister suddenly stepped down within hours of forming a cabinet.

Rapid Departure Amid Political Turmoil

France's latest leader was the third PM in a twelve-month period, as the nation continued to stumble from one parliamentary instability to another. He resigned moments before his first cabinet meeting on the start of the week. Macron received Lecornu's resignation on the start of the day.

Furious Criticism Regarding New Government

Lecornu had faced intense backlash from opposition politicians when he announced a new government that was virtually unchanged since last previous month's ousting of his former PM, his predecessor.

The proposed new government was dominated by President Emmanuel Macron's political partners, leaving the government mostly identical.

Opposition Reaction

Political opponents said the prime minister had reversed on the "major shift" with previous policies that he had promised when he came to power from the unfavored Bayrou, who was ousted on the ninth of September over a proposed budget squeeze.

Future Political Direction

The uncertainty now is whether the national leader will decide to end the current assembly and call another sudden poll.

The National Rally president, the head of Marine Le Pen's opposition group, said: "There cannot be a return to stability without a return to the ballot box and the parliament's termination."

He continued, "It was very clearly Emmanuel Macron who decided this government himself. He has understood nothing of the current circumstances we are in."

Election Calls

The far-right party has demanded another vote, confident they can boost their seats and presence in the legislature.

France has gone through a phase of instability and political crisis since the president called an unclear early vote last year. The assembly remains split between the main groups: the left, the conservative wing and the central bloc, with no definitive control.

Financial Deadline

A budget for next year must be approved within weeks, even though government factions are at odds and Lecornu's tenure ended in less than a month.

Opposition Motion

Parties from the progressive side to conservative wing were to hold meetings on Monday to decide whether or not to vote to oust France's leader in a parliamentary motion, and it seemed that the administration would fail before it had even started work. Lecornu apparently decided to step down before he could be dismissed.

Cabinet Positions

Most of the key cabinet roles declared on Sunday night remained the unchanged, including Gérald Darmanin as legal affairs leader and the culture minister as arts department head.

The responsibility of economic policy head, which is vital as a fragmented legislature struggles to pass a financial plan, went to Roland Lescure, a government partner who had previously served as industry and energy minister at the start of Macron's second term.

Surprise Appointment

In a surprise move, Bruno Le Maire, a government partner who had worked as economy minister for an extended period of his presidency, was reappointed to government as defence minister. This infuriated leaders across the political divide, who viewed it as a signal that there would be no questioning or change of Macron's pro-business stance.

Rachel Edwards
Rachel Edwards

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