Political Deadlock and Macronism's Future Spark Debate in France

On January 16, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu publicly expressed his disappointment with several political parties, accusing them of choosing obstruction over productive work. Speaking amid ongoing budget approval difficulties, Lecornu criticized the Rassemblement National (RN) and La France Insoumise (LFI) for their motions of censure against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, calling their actions “completely disconnected from reality.” He lamented that political party interests and upcoming presidential campaign ambitions have overridden common sense and responsibility in parliament, noting that only the social security budget was successfully passed this session. Lecornu also left open whether the government would use constitutional article 49.3 or an ordinance to finalize the budget amid this blockade.

Meanwhile, political analysts are reflecting on the broader implications for French politics. Denis Baranger, a public law professor, questions the durability of Macronism beyond Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, suggesting it lacks a coherent ideology and may be more of a temporary political phenomenon arising amid mid-2010s turmoil. Although Macron’s tenure has seen economic progress, including lowering unemployment to 7.7% and adept crisis management, it is marred by growing national debt and a perceived disconnect with the public. The decline of Macron’s parliamentary forces, from 307 seats in 2017 to around 166 by 2024, and the disbanding of his party contribute to an uncertain future for the Fifth Republic and the political landscape post-Macron.

This combination of parliamentary obstruction and questions about Macronism's legacy underscores the deep political dissatisfaction and challenges facing France’s governance in early 2026.