French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to appoint his sixth prime minister in two years by Friday evening, seeking to break the political deadlock that has plagued the country and avert the risk of snap elections, reads a France24’s post.
In a bid to resolve the ongoing crisis, Macron has summoned the leaders of all mainstream political parties to the Élysée Palace for talks ahead of the crucial announcement. The French president has been in an increasingly precarious position since last year’s snap elections, which resulted in a hung parliament and a rise in support for the far right, leaving Macron without a clear majority.
The meeting will take place at 12:30 GMT on Friday, with all party leaders invited except those from the far-right National Rally (RN) and the radical left France Unbowed party. Macron’s office confirmed that a decision on the new prime minister would be made by the evening, following the resignation of his seventh prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, earlier this week.
Lecornu, a loyal Macron ally, resigned after months of political gridlock over a contentious austerity budget. He agreed to stay for a few extra days to engage in discussions with various political factions, but the lack of breakthrough in negotiations led to his departure. Lecornu’s final cabinet reshuffle on Sunday was criticized for being insufficiently bold in breaking with past policies.
The question of who will take over as prime minister remains open, with speculation swirling around several potential candidates. Some believe Lecornu could be reappointed, though such a move risks further alienating opposition parties and triggering another no-confidence vote. Others have suggested Jean-Louis Borloo, a former minister under presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, could be a viable candidate. However, Borloo, 74, dismissed any rumors on Thursday, stating he had no contact with the president’s office regarding the role.
Other names in the mix include former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve or Pierre Moscovici, head of the French Court of Auditors and another prominent Socialist figure, who could be tapped to help stabilize the country’s finances.
Lecornu, who previously served as defense minister, has indicated that a revised draft budget for 2026 could be ready for presentation by Monday, with the goal of passing the bill through parliament by the year’s end. This would require a new government to be in place by the weekend.
Speaking on Wednesday, Lecornu hinted at the possibility of forming a more technocratic cabinet, composed of individuals without political ambitions, particularly for the 2027 presidential elections. This suggestion reflects the deepening sense of urgency within Macron’s administration to resolve the political crisis while managing France's economic challenges.
Criticism of Macron's leadership has grown, with some former allies calling for his resignation. Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who is seen as a likely contender in the 2027 presidential race, recently suggested Macron should step down once the budget is passed. However, Macron has firmly rejected calls for his resignation, asserting that he will remain in office until the end of his term.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right RN, has vowed to block any efforts by the new government, declaring her party would "vote against everything." Le Pen’s RN, which has capitalized on growing discontent with Macron’s leadership, is positioning itself for a strong challenge in the 2027 presidential elections. While Le Pen is barred from running due to a corruption conviction, her lieutenant, 30-year-old Jordan Bardella, is seen as a potential candidate to lead the party into the next race.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
