France's Prime Minister Steps Down Following Under One Month Amid Broad Condemnation of New Government
France's political turmoil has intensified after the new prime minister dramatically resigned within a short time of announcing a administration.
Rapid Exit Amid Government Turmoil
Sébastien Lecornu was the third PM in a single year, as the country continued to stumble from one parliamentary instability to another. He quit moments before his initial ministerial gathering on Monday afternoon. Macron received his resignation on the start of the day.
Intense Criticism Over Fresh Government
France's leader had faced intense backlash from opposition politicians when he revealed a recent administration that was virtually unchanged since last previous month's ousting of his preceding leader, François Bayrou.
The proposed new government was led by Macron's political partners, leaving the government mostly identical.
Political Response
Political opponents said France's leader had reversed on the "significant change" with past politics that he had vowed when he assumed office from the unfavored previous leader, who was dismissed 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.
The National Rally president, the head of the opposition figure's far-right National Rally party, said: "We cannot achieve a restoration of calm without a new election and the parliament's termination."
He added, "It was very clearly the president who chose this cabinet himself. He has failed to comprehend of the current circumstances we are in."
Vote Demands
The National Rally has demanded another election, believing they can expand their seats and presence in parliament.
The country has gone through a phase of turmoil and government instability since the president called an inconclusive snap election last year. The assembly remains split between the political factions: the progressive side, the nationalist group and the moderate faction, with no clear majority.
Financial Pressure
A financial plan for next year must be agreed within weeks, even though parliamentary groups are at odds and his leadership ended in less than a month.
No-Confidence Motion
Political groups from the left to conservative wing were to hold meetings on the start of the week to decide whether or not to vote to remove Lecornu in a no-confidence vote, and it seemed that the government would collapse before it had even begun operating. Lecornu apparently decided to resign before he could be removed.
Cabinet Appointments
Nearly all of the big government posts announced on the night before remained the same, including the legal affairs head as judicial department head and the culture minister as cultural affairs leader.
The role of economic policy head, which is essential as a fragmented legislature struggles to approve a spending package, went to the president's supporter, a government partner who had previously served as industry and energy minister at the commencement of his current leadership period.
Surprise Selection
In a unexpected decision, a longtime Macron ally, a government partner who had acted as financial affairs leader for seven years of his term, returned to government as military affairs head. This angered leaders across the spectrum, who considered it a indication that there would be no questioning or change of the president's economic policies.