Sébastien Lecornu Faces Major Challenges in Forming New Government Amid Political Divisions

Sébastien Lecornu has been reconfirmed as Prime Minister at Matignon but continues to face significant difficulties in forming a new government. As of October 12, 2025, the composition of his cabinet remains undecided, and the government struggles to secure sufficient political support. The official deadline to present the budget project is Monday, an important milestone that must be met by presenting it to the Council of Ministers before submission to the National Assembly. This deadline adds urgency to Lecornu's unsettled government formation process.\n\nComplicating matters further, the political landscape is highly fragmented. Following Lecornu's recent resignation announcement, opposition voices have called for the dissolution of the National Assembly, but concerns abound that fresh elections could result in a similarly fractured and ungovernable parliament. Les Républicains (LR) party president Bruno Retailleau has publicly refused any participation in a government led by a leftist or Macronist prime minister, highlighting deep party divides that hinder coalition-building efforts. Despite these challenges, Annie Genevard, the resigning Agriculture Minister from LR, has expressed her intention to remain in Lecornu's second government despite the overall turmoil.\n\nA recent poll conducted by Toluna Harris Interactive reveals a shifting political dynamic: the Rassemblement National (RN) is gaining ground as a frontrunner for the 2027 presidential elections with 34% to 35% support, suggesting the collapse of the centrist bloc and intensifying competition with the left for influence in upcoming electoral rounds. These developments underscore the precarious position of Lecornu's government and the broader political volatility impacting governance in France.\n\nWith the budget deadline looming and no clear majority alliance in sight, Sébastien Lecornu's ability to consolidate power and form a stable cabinet remains uncertain, reflecting ongoing fractures within French politics and raising questions about governance stability moving forward.