Macron to Appoint New PM Amid France’s Deep Political Crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, according to a statement from the Elysee Palace on Wednesday. The move follows the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu, France's fifth prime minister in just two years, highlighting the country’s unprecedented political instability.

Lecornu resigned on Monday, only hours after unveiling his cabinet lineup, making his administration the shortest-lived in modern French history. Despite the resignation, he continued consultations with political leaders from across the spectrum, from the center-left to the center-right, to explore a path toward stability.

Crisis Talks Yield “Path Forward” but No Deal

According to the Elysee statement, Lecornu concluded that a majority of deputies oppose dissolving parliament and that a platform exists to adopt the 2026 budget by December 31. “On this basis, the President of the Republic will appoint a Prime Minister within the next 48 hours,” the statement said.

While Lecornu did not secure a political deal, he said he believes a path exists for Macron to appoint a new premier, potentially avoiding the need for a snap parliamentary election.

“I feel a path is still possible,” Lecornu said, emphasizing the importance of adopting the 2026 budget to restore some financial stability to France, the euro zone’s second-largest economy.

Opposition Demands and Political Pressure

Despite Lecornu’s cautious optimism, opposition parties remain hostile. Far-right and hard-left politicians continue to call for snap elections or Macron’s resignation.

• Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, has refused to engage in talks and said she would censure any government measures.

• Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the hard-left France Unbowed reiterated that Macron must resign to resolve the crisis.

• Far-right lawmaker Laure Lavalette described Macron’s plan as merely buying time.

Center-Left Seeks Control of Next Government

Meanwhile, leaders of the Socialist Party and Greens have signaled their intention to run the next government. They are pushing for measures including a 2% wealth tax on the richest 0.01% and the reversal of unpopular pension reforms, which enjoy public support but clash with conservative interests.

Markets React to Political Deadlock

The political stalemate has unnerved investors concerned about France’s growing budget deficit. However, some relief came on Wednesday after Lecornu’s statements, with the CAC 40 index rising 1.1%. Despite the gain, French markets remain among Europe’s weakest in 2025.