Sébastien Lecornu Faces Political Turmoil and Social Unrest Amidst Government Formation Challenges
Sébastien Lecornu’s government faces a political crisis as he seeks to form a new cabinet amid opposition censure threats and labor unrest against austerity measures.
- • Lecornu may face censure by the Socialist Party after announcing his policy statement on October 7.
- • President Macron has given Lecornu a deadline to form a new government by Sunday evening, aiming for a smaller cabinet.
- • Labor unions, including FO, continue to oppose austerity measures and demand repeal of pension reforms.
- • Lecornu renounced the use of constitutional article 49.3, allowing more parliamentary debate and Socialist influence on upcoming budgets.
Key details
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is confronting a turbulent political and social landscape as he prepares to deliver his policy statement at the National Assembly on October 7, 2025. His future remains precarious, with the Socialist Party (PS) considering a censure motion that could abruptly end his tenure after only a month in office. This political tension follows Lecornu’s significant concession to the PS by renouncing the use of the controversial constitutional provision 49.3, which limits parliamentary debate on government bills. This move allows Socialist deputies to influence upcoming budget discussions more directly, potentially reshaping legislation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has mandated Lecornu to form a new, more compact government—comprising 25 to 26 members—by Sunday evening, with an announcement expected by Monday morning. The reshuffle faces challenges, including François Rebsamen’s refusal to join due to his leftist convictions focused on social justice. The political right, including the Republicans, continues to negotiate its participation, while the MoDem party demands clear policy direction before offering support. Meanwhile, left-wing leaders like Olivier Faure have expressed readiness to trigger a censure vote if no policy shifts occur, even hinting at a possible election dissolution. Raphaël Glucksmann of Place publique urged the left to focus on workers' issues to regain influence.
Social tensions are intensifying as well. On October 2, the intersyndicale, including the FO trade union, mobilized again, protesting Lecornu's austerity agenda. The government intends to cut public spending and reform unemployment insurance but refuses to repeal the 2023 pension reforms or reinstate a wealth tax. FO insists on real breaks from austerity, underscoring the widened gap between government policies and labor demands. Despite promises to reduce the public deficit to 3% by 2029, the projected 2026 deficit remains high at 4.7%, adding to uncertainty.
With the forthcoming presentation of the 2026 budget and social security draft by October 7, Lecornu’s administration faces a critical moment. His refusal to use the 49.3 procedure for the budget signals an appeal for parliamentary responsibility but also increases exposure to potential opposition maneuvers. This combined political and social pressure renders the government's immediate future uncertain amid calls for reform and stabilization.