Paris, October 9(HS): Outgoing French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint a new premier within the next 48 hours, signalling an end to weeks of political uncertainty following his resignation earlier this week.
Speaking on France 2 television, Lecornu said he believed “a path is possible” for Macron to name a successor soon, and that he himself was “not running after the job.”
Macron had given Lecornu until Wednesday evening to help break a months-long deadlock over a contentious austerity budget that has divided lawmakers and strained his leadership.
With options including reappointing Lecornu, calling snap elections, or even stepping down, Macron now appears poised to name a new head of government — the eighth under his presidency.
Lecornu told viewers that prospects for early elections had now “receded,” citing resistance within the National Assembly to dissolution.Dismissing suggestions from former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe that Macron should resign and call fresh presidential polls, Lecornu insisted the president must serve out his term until 2027.
“It is not the time to change the president,” he said. “Let’s not make the French believe it is the president who votes the budget.”The outgoing prime minister hinted at the formation of a more technocratic cabinet, saying the new team should comprise individuals without ambitions for the 2027 presidential race but with a mandate to “roll up their sleeves and solve the country’s problems.”
On one of Macron’s most controversial reforms — raising the pension age — Lecornu suggested opening a fresh debate, while cautioning that reversing the measure could cost the government an estimated €3 billion by 2027.
“I tried everything,” Lecornu said during his interview. “This evening, my mission is finished.” He added that a new budget proposal could reach the cabinet on Monday, though it “will not be perfect” and will require “lively debate.”The decision marks a crucial juncture for Macron, who faces mounting pressure to stabilise his administration and rebuild public confidence after months of political turbulence.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
